Downtown Urban Arts Festival 2027: Free Musical and Play Submissions Close October 26
The Downtown Urban Arts Festival (DUAF) in New York City is accepting scripts for its 25th annual season, scheduled for June 2027 in Manhattan. Musical theatre writers and playwrights have until Monday, October 26, 2026 to submit. The call covers both short and longer musicals and plays, with no submission or participation fee.
Musical lengths and restrictions
DUAF accepts short-length plays and musicals under 45 minutes and longer pieces up to a maximum of 70 minutes. The organisers look for new works or works with limited previous exposure. A selected show must not have any other New York City production within the 30 days before or after the 2027 festival. Crucially, the playwright or musical’s book writer must be based in the United States; foreign writers with no US base should not assume they qualify.
Support offered to selected writers
The festival lists a US$1,200 stipend for short-show playwrights and book writers, and US$2,000 for longer productions, as well as mentorship, support with casting, artists’ fees, rehearsal space reimbursement and technical arrangements. It also advertises US$1,000 prizes in designated festival award categories. These are benefits for selected work rather than a payment for every applicant.
What must be uploaded?
The official online form requests a PDF containing the writer’s biography, a brief synopsis and estimated running time; a complete PDF script; and a JPG photograph of the playwright or book writer. Prepare all materials before the October 26 closing date. Writers of musicals should check the form for any additional score or music demonstration expectations, since the public overview does not prescribe a universal music-file format.
About the festival
DUAF is a New York theatre festival associated with Creative Ammo Inc., with a history of presenting new American voices and works involving diverse urban communities. It publicly identifies its venue network, including Joe’s Pub and La MaMa, and maintains a dedicated submission page. Its previous participants include playwrights who later earned major theatre recognition; those outcomes are background, not a promise of future success.
How to apply
Read the eligibility and 30-day production restriction, compile the required PDFs and headshot, then use the organiser’s submission form by October 26, 2026. Confirm your status as a US-based book writer before submission. Official details checked October 25, 2026.
Official source and application / Source officielle : Open the organiser's official announcement / Consulter l'annonce officielle