Attend the Nov 12th Event
Submit your Script
Apply to be a Stage Reader
What is this?
The First Word is where new plays take their very first breath. Over the course of an evening, we invite audiences to experience the excitement of live play readings—brand new scripts performed by local artists, read aloud for the very first time.
This is theatre in its rawest, most electric form—no sets, no costumes, just the words, the actors, and the spark of story taking shape before your eyes.
Submit a Script
Are you a playwright with a story ready to be heard? The First Word is accepting submissions of new, unproduced scripts for live readings.
We welcome work that is bold, heartfelt, and ready to meet its first audience.
Apply to be a Stage Reader
Direct or act in the play reading production. There will be a 2 hour rehearsal provided where Directors will help build character and context into the reading and actors to bring the characters to life with their voice.
Volunteer With Us
Love new theatre? We’re looking for volunteers to help bring The First Word to life—front-of-house, hospitality, and event support.
Be part of the energy, meet local artists, and help make these nights unforgettable.
November 12th Readings
Motherland
by Lloyd Davis
Winter, 1942. An area outside Stalingrad. The Soviet army has suffered greatly in the war so far, losing much territory and tenfold more lives than most other major nations. Moscow is at risk of falling to the enemy.
The play takes place near the frontlines, in and around a barracks that houses this women’s sharpshooter unit. The trio are lethal, elite soldiers. The commander’s quarters are nearby, as are additional Soviet housing compounds and headquarters.
A relationship develops between Dasha and a prisoner of war.
Character Breakdown:
Dasha – 20/30s, renowned sniper
Petra – 20/30s, sniper, high school friend of Dasha
Anya – bit younger, sniper, the Soviet version of bubbly
Marina – 40/50s, division commander, matriarch
Hans – 20/30s, German soldier
Wedlock
by David Heyman
A man facing the death penalty refuses an offer of life in prison for a guilty plea, seeing no reason to spend the rest of his life behind bars. His lawyer, desperate to save him, devises a last-minute plan. Just before the verdict, she brings in his former girlfriend — the woman whose abusive partner he killed — hoping that her gratitude might persuade him to reconsider.
Character Breakdown:
Athena, woman in her 30s — An ambitious new lawyer.
Otis, man in his 50s — On trial for first-degree murder of his ex-wife’s abusive boyfriend.
Penny, woman in her 50s — Otis’s ex-wife.
Al, man in his 50s — A lifelong prison guard with a happy marriage and a wise philosophy of life.
Judge, man in his 60s — A by-the-book judge near the end of his career.
Apply to be a Stage Reader
Required with your Submission:
- Your contact information (Name / Address / Telephone / Email)
- A headshot and resume in an appropriate file type
- For Actors: a 1-2 minute video audition of something you feel confident performing (you can give a monologue, read from a script, a poem, or even a book section you find compelling). Give us a taste of your performance, don’t overthink it – filmed on your phone is just fine! (already have one recorded? send that in!)
- Your availability in Victoria for the required days
The Process
Join the Between Words team as we try something new this fall. We want to create a space for new works to experiment and new artists to work together in a fun, quick, and creative process.
- Step 1: Artists will be selected by the event producers and connected to a script.
- Step 2: Director/Dramaturg will cast their shows with the actors provided and
- Step 3: Teams will have one 2-hour rehearsal block to work on the piece before performance night.
Rehearsal space and scripts will be provided, and from there we’re looking for fun and new opportunity to connect through theatre!
Selection criteria includes:
We will select actors and directors who are at a stage in their artistic journey where this opportunity can support meaningful growth, while also ensuring diversity and representation among the performers.