Apply to participate

The 3rd Annual Victoria One Act Play Festival

Belfry BMO Studio June 3-7, 2025.

Deadline to apply is Friday, March 7, 2025.

Before submitting this form, be sure to review the guidelines:

  • All plays must be one-acts of between 10 – 60 minutes. No exceptions.
  • All plays must be new (original) works. New works are defined as original productions that have not been fully produced or adjudicated in the past. (workshopped is fine)
  • Please only submit 1 play per group.
  • Groups (cast & crew) should primarily be residing locally.
  • Ensure you have the cast and crew to pull the play together, and that you have thought about where you will rehearse. Scripts with minimal set, costume, and prop requirements are preferred. You will only have 10 minutes to set-up the stage before your show and 5 minutes to strike your set. 
  • No member of any Professional Performing Arts Union may participate in any capacity.
  • We are accepting scripted plays only (i.e. we are not accepting improv).
  • We are not considering theatre for young audiences at this time.
  • The application entry fee to participate is $20.00. Please contact us if this fee is a barrier to your application entry or access to a credit card is not available.

Additional Details:

  • Each performing group will receive a stipend which we hope will offset some of the costs that are likely to be incurred to prepare for the performance. The stipend amount is TBD (guaranteed a minimum of $50.00 per group).
  • Performing groups (artists) can expect to hear from us with pre and post questionnaires to ensure we hear artists’ feedback which will help us gain valuable insights on making improvements towards future festivals and events.

The First Word: A Live Play-reading Series

The First Word is a new series dedicated to the raw, electric energy of new plays coming to life for the very first time. Each evening invites audiences into the creative process, where stories are spoken into existence, scripts are tested aloud, and fresh voices take the stage. With nothing but words, actors, and imagination, these readings celebrate the power of beginnings—the first spark before the full production. Submit your scripts below!

First Event is on November 12, 2025. Details coming soon!

Submission Guidelines

Each script submission is $5.00.

  • You can send by e-transfer by using accounts@betweenwords.ca. Please note your name or title of play in description if the email address is different than the one you are applying with here.
  • If you want to pay via Visa or MasterCard, please use this form on Stripe here.

This form may be used for General Submissions.

All scripts submitted can be considered for programming for the series on an ongoing basis (you only need to apply once). Please let us know if you’re interested in a future event.

Required with your Submission:

  • Title Page with your contact information (Name / Address / Telephone / Email)
  • A brief synopsis of the script
  • Character Breakdown with brief descriptions for Casting Purposes. [Name / Age Range / Gender] Include any character who speaks! ie. Bartender / Cashier, etc.
  • Playwrights are expected to be in attendance at the event to get the most out of the experience and receive direct audience feedback. Please stay tuned for date announcements.

SUBMISSION FORMAT

Please follow the appropriate formatting standard for your script writing. If unsure, try using Celtx or Highland 2, a free online script format software. Please send scripts via the form BELOW.

Final Notes about Script Submission

  • Work-in-Progress and Premieres only please.
  • This is a local event focused on Greater Victoria artists (CRD area inclusive). Our priority is to those scripts at this time.
  • Your work does not have to be a final draft, but please PROOF READ and review it to ensure that it is ready to be read!
  • We are unable to provide direct feedback to writers.
  • Still not sure if your script will work? Reach out to us with any questions
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Name(Required)
Address(Required)
If selected we will use this description to promote the reading to Directors and Actors
Note plays over 60 minutes will not be accepted.
If you have 8 characters, but only 4 appear on stage at the same time, then your answer would be 4. If there are exception to this, please note them below.
*Include Name, Age range, Gender specifications, etc. *Please include any character that speaks, and note if double casting is a possibility for the reading
Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 512 MB.
Please turn into a PDF format.