New Voices is the nation's longest continuously running collegiate new and original play festival! Since 1982, New Voices has featured original, unpublished scripts from the WPI community: students, faculty, staff, alums, family, friends, acquaintances, audience members, etc.
Any type of producible script may be accepted: monologues, short plays, multiple acts, musicals, etc. A team of dramaturgs read every script submitted and select the pieces to be performed during the New Voices Festival that year. The voting dramaturgs are not informed of the playwrights' names until the voting is completed. Each year a new set of dramaturgs is chosen by the Founder of the festival, Susan Vick. We anticipate 50-100 submissions each year.
In the past, the dramaturgs have chosen 10-20 of the entries, however, New Voices 25 featured 7 works, and every show was performed each night of the festival. With its great success, the 2-hour festival has become a new standard, giving each show more performance time.
Starting in 1999, the Scenic Design competition began. The dramaturgs choose an original scenic design for the festival that would accommodate a large number of shows as well as setting a tone for the festival. Innovative uses of the space and adaptability were strongly encouraged. In 2009 after 10 years the decision was made to put the Scenic Design competition on hold until new approaches to better make use of the Little Theatre could be explored.
All scripts must be original works. Adaptations of public domain material (or material for which the author has acquired the rights to) are acceptable provided the title page clearly states the work is an adaptation. Questions about submissions can be directed to the producer, check back here for announcements regarding who will be selected as New Voices 28 producer.
Any WPI community member who wishes to help direct, produce or act in the festival also has the opportunity to do so.