.png)
THE SHINY PENNY
NEW WORKS
COLLECTIVE
RAISE YOUR VOICE.
The Shiny Penny New Works Collective is excited to welcome fresh, bold, and innovative voices! We invite playwrights, composers, and theatre-makers to submit their original works for consideration through our dedicated submission portal. Whether you have a script, a concept, or a fully developed piece, we want to hear your stories. Selected works may receive development opportunities, staged readings, or full productions. Submit your work today and be part of a collective that champions new and exciting theatre!
Chosen works will be presented in our Spring 2026 New Works Festival.
SUBMISSIONS ACCEPTED UNTIL
MAY 1st, 2025
WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR
We are seeking bold, original, and innovative works from diverse voices, with a focus on:
- Playwrights from Underrepresented Communities – Including BIPOC, 2SLGBTQIA+, femme, and emerging artists who bring fresh perspectives to the stage.
- New and Untold Stories – Works that challenge, inspire, and explore narratives that are often overlooked in mainstream theatre.
- Innovative and Theatrically Daring Work – Plays that experiment with form, structure, or storytelling, pushing the boundaries of traditional theatre.
- Strong Character-Driven Narratives – Stories that center compelling, complex, and authentic characters with meaningful journeys.
- Plays with a Social or Cultural Impact – Pieces that spark conversation, challenge perspectives, and reflect the diverse world we live in.
- Up-and-Coming Playwrights – Whether it’s your first play or your tenth, we’re eager to support new and emerging voices in the theatre community.
If your work aligns with our vision, we encourage you to submit and be part of a collective that champions new, exciting, and necessary theatre!
HOW IT WORKS
- LEVEL 1 (SUBMISSIONS)
– The submission portal is open until MAY 1st, 2025. Apply using the form down below.
- LEVEL 2 (ADJUDICATION)
– All applications will be reviewed by our New Work Collective team. 8-10 works will then be selected to take part in the 2026 New Works Festival. Chosen authors will be invited to attend a virtual interview with the New Works Collective team.
- LEVEL 3 (WORKSHOPPING)
– The chosen plays will be workshopped, with the support of the author and Penny & Pound team. Table readings and small workshops will take place, followed by constructive feedback that will help authors finesse their works.
- LEVEL 4 (PRESENTING) –
The chosen shows will then be auditioned and rehearsed, culminating in a festival premiere in June 2026.
REQUIREMENTS
NOTE: All applicants must be 16 years of age or older.
All applicants must be residents of Ontario.
- Project Overview: Write a brief summary about your show. Include all necessary details such as plot details, genre, and cast size.
- Excerpt: Submit an expert of your work (5-10 pages). If the show has yet to be written, please write a more detailed summary of the plot in your ‘project overview.’
- Project Goals: List what you would like to achieve with your submitted piece