SUBMISSIONS OPEN NOW THROUGH MAY 17TH FOR ACCLAIMED CHAIN THEATRE SUMMER ONE-ACT FESTIVAL
A Theatrical Mixtape of New Work
“The festival is always jam-packed with energy and expectation.” - Front Row Center
“Now a cornerstone of New York City’s theater scene, the Chain Winter One‐Act Festival has become one of the city’s largest and most dynamic showcases for new work.” - TDF
JULY 9TH - AUGUST 2ND
CHAIN THEATRE
SUBMISSIONS OPEN NOW AT CHAINTHEATRE.ORG
New York, NY - April 22nd: Following the sold-out crowds for the Winter One-Act Festival featuring performances by Ralph Macchio (The Karate Kid, My Cousin Vinny) and direction by Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network; A Real Pain), the Chain Theatre is opening submissions for their 2026 summer edition. Kirk Gostkowski, Artistic Director, Rick Hamilton, Managing Director, Christina Elise Perry, Director of Development, are excited to announce that submissions are open now through May 17th. The Chain Summer One-Act Festival is a true celebration of bold voices and original storytelling, returning July 9th - August 2nd. Chain will continue to showcase playwrights of all backgrounds from the tri-state area to serve up a theatrical ‘mix-tape’ of new work in the heart of the theatre district in mid-town Manhattan.
SUBMISSIONS OPEN APRIL 22ND-MAY 17TH https://www.chaintheatre.org/oneact-festival
Past festival headliners have included industry giants such as Tony Award-winner David Rabe (Sticks and Bones), Broadway’s Lyle Kessler (Orphans), and award-winning actor/writer Eric Bogosian (AMC’s Interview With The Vampire). But mainly the Chain One-Act Festivals serve as a platform for artists, from emerging to seasoned, to expand their horizons and try new things, as seen with Jesse Eisenberg’s theatrical directorial debut programmed alongside recent Emerson College grad Emma McGill’s one-woman show. Chain provides space to experiment and take innovative risks without the pressure of a full production. The winter edition featured 90+ plays, running from 10 minutes to an hour, from playwrights across a wide array of ages, races, genders and nationalities. Chain Theatre gives you the opportunity to tell your story, your way. Submit today!
The festival will take place from July 9th - August 2nd at Chain Theatre (312 W. 36th Street, 3rd and 4th Floors, New York, NY 10018).
The festival submission information can be found here: https://www.chaintheatre.org/oneact-festival
NOW ONSTAGE! Chain Theatre is currently celebrating an extended run of the World Premiere production of THE PUSHOVER by John Patrick Shanley through May 2nd. There will be an additional performance on Monday, April 27th. Following the performance, there will be a talkback with John Patrick Shanley and the full cast.
CHAIN THEATRE always seeks to reflect and react to the world around us. Culturally. Politically. Socially. Audiences can find investment in the work at the Chain, because the work reflects them, no matter what it might be. It’s a place where artists have support to take risks, and audiences can expand their perspectives.
The critically acclaimed Chain Theatre (NYT Critic’s pick MACBITCHES) is a premier Off-Broadway producing organization in midtown Manhattan. Chain Theatre produced the World Premieres of THE PUSHOVER by Academy, Tony, and Pulitzer-winner John Patrick Shanley and GARBAGEMAN by Emmy-nominated Keith Huff (A STEADY RAIN, MAD MEN, HOUSE OF CARDS) and has also collaborated with Tony Award-winner David Rabe (HURLYBURLY, IN THE BOOM BOOM ROOM) and Eric Bogosian (HUMPTY DUMPTY). Other World Premiere productions include: THIS G*D DAMN HOUSE (ScreenCraft Grand Prize Winner), A WILL TO LIVE, and WHAT PASSES FOR COMEDY. www.ChainTheatre.org
IG: @chaintheatrenyc FB: @ChainTheatre @chainfilmfest
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