Hudson Valley Theatre Festival

Submissions for the 2026 Festival is now closed!
We have reached our cap of 100 applications – thank you for considering The New Deal Creative Arts Center. We hope you keep us in mind for future festivals!

Please review our mission statement and guidelines below. A submission form link will be added to this page on August 1, 2025 at approximately 12:00am EST. Any questions can be directed to teresa@newdealarts.org

HUDSON VALLEY THEATRE FESTIVAL: MISSION STATEMENT

The Hudson Valley Theatre Festival (HVTF) is dedicated to celebrating and elevating new theatrical works by offering meaningful opportunities and access to both emerging and established playwrights—locally, nationally, and internationally. Through our commitment to artistic innovation and community engagement, HVTF also aims to bolster tourism in the Hudson Valley by drawing visitors to this annual cultural event and supporting local businesses in the process.

Presented by The New Deal Creative Arts Center, HVTF is an inclusive and welcoming program open to playwrights, theatre artists, volunteers, audience members, and community affiliates of all ages, races, genders, sexualities, abilities, and backgrounds.

HUDSON VALLEY THEATRE FESTIVAL: SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Submissions for the 2026 Hudson Valley Theatre Festival will be accepted beginning August 1, 2025, following these guidelines:

  • This opportunity is open to playwrights from local, national, and international communities.
  • A completed 2026 festival application is required for consideration. 
  • Only unpublished, non-musical plays will be accepted.
  • We are seeking full-length plays with a maximum running time of 2 hours.
  • Only one play submission per playwright is allowed.
  • There are no cast size limitations.
  • Scripts must be written in English.
  • Submissions must be intended for live stage performance (radio plays, screenplays, and virtual-only works will not be considered).
  • We strongly encourage submissions from voices across all backgrounds, and we champion diversity and inclusion in our selection process.
  • All plays will be reviewed by a carefully selected, diverse panel of theatre professionals.
  • No submission fee is required.
  • Scripts must be submitted in PDF format and follow Dramatists Guild Formatting Guidelines.
  • Please include a cover page with the author’s name, address, phone number, and email.

For questions or further information, please contact us at: hvtf@newdealarts.org

Selected playwrights will have their work featured in a public reading during the 2026 Hudson Valley Theatre Festival, scheduled for May 1-3, 2026. From a maximum of 100 submissions, twelve (12) plays will be selected to participate.

QUESTIONS CAN BE DIRECTED TO HVTF@NEWDEALARTS.ORG