Carolina Playwrights Lab
Developing original plays by playwrights of the Carolinas
The Carolina Playwrights Lab is a premiere, professional new works development program for playwrights residing in North and South Carolina. CPL provides a robust set of tools and space for playwrights to dig deep and develop their plays in hopes of taking the next step in the journey to full production.
The 2026 Carolina Playwrights Lab will develop 2 full-length, original plays over 3 weeks with 2 staged-reading presentations of each play for public audiences. Selected pieces will be chosen through a multi-step reading and scoring process by a seasoned reading committee. At the heart of this experience is the opportunity for playwrights to receive moderated feedback sessions with a panel of 3 local and national industry professionals after each presentation of their work. These sessions are intended to inspire brave edits in the week between presentations and beyond!
Selected pieces will receive the following:
- Rehearsal facilities will be provided for a 2 week, in-person, rehearsal process, equipped with printers to implement live edits – we love new pages!
- Each piece will be assigned a professional creative team including a seasoned director, dramaturg, stage manager, as well as a qualified cast
- 2 staged readings for the public in a local venue
- Basic technical capabilities with a sound designer and lighting designer
- 3 panelists, locally and out-of-state, will provide moderated critique after each presentation, along with playing a key role in the script editing process
- Playwright Compensation – $500, PLUS HOUSING if outside the greater Triangle area (NC)
The 2026 Carolina Playwrights Lab will be held from September 7th – 26th
Performance Location:
The Studio, Theatre Raleigh Arts Center, 3027 Barrow Drive, Raleigh, NC, 27616
Submission Requirements
Submission Window will be open APRIL 13 – MAY 10
Playwright must be from NC or SC and have a valid, current address
Blind submissions only. Please remove any identification, contact information, and credits from your script.
Selected playwrights from the previous year may not submit – must wait 1 cycle before submitting again
Non-Selected playwrights who have previously applied must skip 1 submission cycle before reapplying and must have completed new work on the piece since the first application
You must be the sole author of the play you are submitting to CPL, and the exclusive owner of all rights to the play. You may submit an original or adapted work, provided that the rights to any material not in the public domain have been granted in writing and a copy of the release is submitted with your script.
Only 1 piece by a playwright will be accepted – multiple submissions are not allowed
Play must be written in correct format – *example:
“First Drafts” will not be accepted – play must be mature in development
Minimum page count of 70 pages – plays under the minimum page count are ineligible
Your play must not have had a full production, or be licensed or optioned to have a professional production, prior to June 1, 2026. If you have any questions about this, please reach out to the CPL Selections Process Manager, Kevin Aponte, at [email protected].
If your play has previously received—or is scheduled to receive—a developmental workshop, reading, or staged reading prior to June 1, 2026, you must disclose that information in your CPL application. Failure to disclose additional development could affect your application’s standing.
Musicals are ineligible
- Please visit our page for the National Music Theater Foundry to find out more about our musical development ventures!
Screenplays are ineligible
Late submissions will not be accepted
The administrative fee for CPL 2026 is “Pay What You Can” from April 13th to 20th; from April 20th to May 10th the fee is $15 per script submission. This helps offset the costs of the application process itself: its organization, staffing, administration, and submission platform.
- Only complete applications will be accepted. If we discover an error or omission in your application, then CATG will contact you by email. You will have 48 hours to correct your materials. If your application is not corrected, it will be withdrawn from consideration and your fee will not be refunded.
Be On The Selections Committee
Are you an avid reader of plays? If so, are you interested in having your voice heard in the CPL Selections Process? We are looking for seasoned theater advocates of all disciplines to join our team! The CPL Selections Committee is a PAID reader group who would be reading and evaluating anywhere from 2 to 7 plays over the course of 7 weeks. Compensation is $10 per script read, and you only take on what you feel comfortable with!
Please send along any questions to our Selections Process Manager, Kevin Aponte, at [email protected]