The Last Chance New Play Fest in Helena, MT, is looking for submissions for the next Fest, to be held in November 2025. There are two submission categories, with different rules.

 

Montana Short Cuts (10-minute plays)

• The playwright must currently reside in Montana or one of the four bordering states: Idaho, Wyoming, North or South Dakota, though Montana writers will be given preference.

• The play must be brand new, written specifically for this competition, neither published or previously produced, and written around the topic theme, “Life Goes On.” Writers are encouraged to interpret the theme in a way meaningful to them, for example, an intention affected by the passage of time.

• Each writer may submit more than one play, but only one play by a single author can be selected.

• The running time of the play should be 8-12 minutes, with a maximum of four characters and with the ability to be staged without scene changes using minimal sets and costumes.

 

Open Range (one-act plays)

• The playwright must currently reside in Montana or one of the four bordering states: Idaho, Wyoming, North or South Dakota, though Montana writers will be given preference.

• The play may have been performed elsewhere.

• Each writer may submit only one play.

• The running time of the play should be 24-45 minutes, with a maximum of four characters and with the ability to be staged without scene changes using minimal sets and costumes.

 

All submissions

• Each must be "blind," that is, your name, email address, or any other personally identifiable information must not appear in the play document.

• If a selected play runs long, we will contact the playwright for changes. If no agreement is reached, the Fest reserves the right to make edits solely to meet the run-time requirements.

• The play must be received before July 15, 2025.

 

All plays should be submitted via email as follows.

To: experimental.theatre.coop@gmail.com

Subject: 2025 category Submission: title

 

Substitute either Short Cuts or Open Range for the word “category” and the name of your play for the word "title" in the subject line.

 

The body of your email must include your name, mailing address, and an attachment containing your play. The attachment may be in .txt, .doc, .docx, or .pdf format. Your name MUST NOT appear in this document.

 

Plays selected for the Last Chance New Play Fest will be announced on or about August 1, 2025, and all entrants will be notified. By submitting a play, you grant the Last Chance New Play Fest permission to perform your work during the Fest. All other rights are reserved to the author.