Reading Series Submissions

This webpage was updated on November 27, 2023

The PCSF 2024 Reading Series will take place in April through June 2024. It will be entirely on Zoom — Live theatre readings remain an aspiration for future reading series.

In the past, PCSF has presented both developmental and staged readings in live theatres and on Zoom. Since we'll be doing the 2024 readings solely on Zoom and because Zoom lends itself more effectively to developmental readings, the 2024 Reading Series will only present developmental readings.

For the 2024 Reading Series, here is some basic information:

  • The submission window is open and closes at 11:59 pm, Jan. 2, 2024.

  • You can submit your play on the PCSF Submittable website 2024 Spring Reading Series form.

  • Selections of plays to receive developmental readings will be made by the end of February 2024 and will be announced in early March 2024, when casting, scheduling and other production activities will commence.

  • Each selected play will be assigned a producer, receive one rehearsal, and then be recorded (as if 'live', without editing) in April or May depending on the date scheduled for the audience viewing of the recording. The producers will provide any necessary direction during rehearsals and recordings.

  • The pre-recorded readings will be presented in April through June on Zoom Webinar, followed by live talkback sessions. These are readings, with the main intent of giving a playwright the opportunity to hear and see their work read by actors and learn from that experience, as well as receive feedback afterwards.

  • For the 2024 series, plays must be no more than 130 pages in length, properly formatted, with a maximum run-time of 2.5 hours. Submissions over 130 pages will not be considered. Plays must have a minimum of 35 pages with a minimum run-time of 30 minutes.

  • Plays must be either one-act or full-length plays only. Collections of shorter plays may be considered, if all the plays in the collection are obviously linked, either thematically or by recurring characters. The producers reserve the right to judge if the collection meets this requirement, with clear and obvious connection of all short plays included. Producers decision on this is final.

Watch the PCSF Newsletter for other updates about the PCSF 2024 Reading Series which may occur from time to time.

Key Submission Guidelines

A few key submission guidelines are provided below for your quick reference:

  • In case of contradictory information, actual submission guidelines on Submittable take precedence.

  • A play over its lifetime is limited to two PCSF developmental readings and one PCSF staged reading. The second developmental reading is only possible for works that have been substantially changed since the first reading, and that have been resubmitted and accepted.

  • Once a play has had a PCSF staged reading, it will receive no more PCSF readings.

  • Only current PCSF members are eligible for a slot in a reading series. Plays will not be considered, or receive a reading, if membership is not current at the time of submission and reading.

  • This PCSF website contains information on playwright responsibilities for readings. Make sure you know and can fulfill your responsibilities before submitting. Importantly, please remember that a primary responsibility of playwrights whose work is accepted for a developmental reading is to market the event to potential audience members. Please note that any references to live theatre in discussions of readings on the website are not applicable in 2024.

  • Musicals and operas are not accepted for readings. If your play contains incidental songs or music, the playwright must own the rights or have express written permission to the rights, or the songs must be in the public domain. This policy does not allow for "fair use".

  • If more than six actors are needed for a play (including stage direction reader), the playwright will donate $25 per additional actor to PCSF. Casts of over eight characters will require the playwright to submit a realistic plan for doubling roles, so that the cast does not exceed 8 actors.

  • Developmental readings will have no or minimal costumes, no sound effects and plain backgrounds.