Local Theater Company discovers and develops world-premiere plays, small-cast musicals, hybrid and devised theater pieces through Local Lab. Selected project creators are provided the resources to conduct a workshop of their material, offering them a forum to explore, develop and strengthen their work in collaboration with other theater artists. At the conclusion of the workshop, the material is presented publicly followed by a curated post-show conversation with artistic staff and audience members that moves new work toward full production.
Workshops are typically conducted in Boulder, CO during the Local Lab festival. Dates for Local Lab 14 are April 21 - 27, 2025. Additionally, Local conducts workshops across the United States based on the needs of the material and collaborators. Workshops have been held in Boulder, New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles and Santa Barbara.
Un-produced, full-length plays, small-cast musicals. Please do NOT apply with new drafts of previously shared plays. In an effort to reduce reader bias, we ask that writers remove their names and the names of their agents and/or managers from the their scripts.
To whom do I send the script?
Please share scripts through the application portal linked above (available during application window, March 15 - June 1, 2025). If you have any questions or issues submitting, please email Artistic Director of Production and Education, Nick Chase, at nick@localtheaterco.org.
When is the application deadline?
Local Theater Company accepts plays for consideration for Local Lab 15 (Boulder, April 2026) from March 15 - June 1, 2025. All applications are due no later than 11:59pm mountain time on June 1, 2025.
Who may apply?
If you are a resident of a western state (Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming), you can apply without an invitation. Please indicate which state you reside in when sharing material.
If you are a literary agent or manager, you may also apply with up to three (3) new American plays, small-cast musicals or proposals.
Additionally, Local Theater Company reserves the right to directly solicit project creators.
Is there an entry fee?
No.
If selected, is there a fee?
No. Local Theater Company financially compensates all members of the Local Lab teams. If a workshop/presentation is conducted in a location other than where the playwright lives, travel and accommodation are provided.
How many scripts per playwright can I share?
Just one per playwright, please. Agents and literary managers can submit up to three clients’ works.
Then what happens?
Local Theater Company’s reading committee will review the works. Works move through four phases: general submission, semi-finalist, finalist, and Local Lab selection.
In an effort to reduce bias, applications, including project proposals, are de-identified. This means that the creator’s name or other indicating elements are removed during the first round of consideration.
Do you have a story to tell but have never written a play?
At Local, we celebrate Colorado storytellers and their stories. On Tuesdays, we hold open office hours from noon-1:30pm MT. If you have a story that you'd like to develop with us, this is the time to ask questions, seek feedback, and be in conversation with our team. Email nick@localtheaterco.org for more information or to schedule an appointment.
21 Things I Know About Playwriting I wrote my first play twenty years ago. I wrote my second play one year later. Here are 21 things I learned in the year between the two.
Share this post
Submit: Local Theatre Company, Local Lab, Deadline June 1, 2025
Share this post
THE APPLICATION WINDOW FOR LOCAL LAB 15IS NOW OPEN.
Note: Local Lab 15 will be held in Boulder in early April, 2026. Specific dates TBD
APPLY: https://www.localtheaterco.org/callfornewplays
Local Theater Company discovers and develops world-premiere plays, small-cast musicals, hybrid and devised theater pieces through Local Lab. Selected project creators are provided the resources to conduct a workshop of their material, offering them a forum to explore, develop and strengthen their work in collaboration with other theater artists. At the conclusion of the workshop, the material is presented publicly followed by a curated post-show conversation with artistic staff and audience members that moves new work toward full production.
Workshops are typically conducted in Boulder, CO during the Local Lab festival. Dates for Local Lab 14 are April 21 - 27, 2025. Additionally, Local conducts workshops across the United States based on the needs of the material and collaborators. Workshops have been held in Boulder, New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles and Santa Barbara.
To learn about past Local Labs, click HERE.
What do we accept?
Un-produced, full-length plays, small-cast musicals. Please do NOT apply with new drafts of previously shared plays. In an effort to reduce reader bias, we ask that writers remove their names and the names of their agents and/or managers from the their scripts.
To whom do I send the script?
Please share scripts through the application portal linked above (available during application window, March 15 - June 1, 2025). If you have any questions or issues submitting, please email Artistic Director of Production and Education, Nick Chase, at nick@localtheaterco.org.
When is the application deadline?
Local Theater Company accepts plays for consideration for Local Lab 15 (Boulder, April 2026) from March 15 - June 1, 2025. All applications are due no later than 11:59pm mountain time on June 1, 2025.
Who may apply?
If you are a resident of a western state (Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming), you can apply without an invitation. Please indicate which state you reside in when sharing material.
If you are a literary agent or manager, you may also apply with up to three (3) new American plays, small-cast musicals or proposals.
Additionally, Local Theater Company reserves the right to directly solicit project creators.
Is there an entry fee?
No.
If selected, is there a fee?
No. Local Theater Company financially compensates all members of the Local Lab teams. If a workshop/presentation is conducted in a location other than where the playwright lives, travel and accommodation are provided.
How many scripts per playwright can I share?
Just one per playwright, please. Agents and literary managers can submit up to three clients’ works.
Then what happens?
Local Theater Company’s reading committee will review the works. Works move through four phases: general submission, semi-finalist, finalist, and Local Lab selection.
In an effort to reduce bias, applications, including project proposals, are de-identified. This means that the creator’s name or other indicating elements are removed during the first round of consideration.
Do you have a story to tell but have never written a play?
At Local, we celebrate Colorado storytellers and their stories. On Tuesdays, we hold open office hours from noon-1:30pm MT. If you have a story that you'd like to develop with us, this is the time to ask questions, seek feedback, and be in conversation with our team. Email nick@localtheaterco.org for more information or to schedule an appointment.
Buy Me a Coffee!
How To Playwright is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
PREVIOUS ARTICLES BY AUDREY CEFALY
How to Write the 10-Minute Play
Stop Saying Stupid Shit
52 Vocabulary Words for Playwrights
A collection of weird and unusual words for the things we do as playwrights.
10 Things Playwrights Wish Their Actors Understood
A love letter
To Speak or Not to Speak?
4 Ways to Create Indelible Non-Speaking Roles for the Stage
21 Things I Know About Playwriting
I wrote my first play twenty years ago. I wrote my second play one year later. Here are 21 things I learned in the year between the two.
Buy Me a Coffee!
LEAN MORE ABOUT AUDREY
@audreycefaly | Linktree
Visit my website for more about me and the work I do!
Purchase my plays from Concord Theatricals.
Follow me on Facebook.
Follow me on Twitter.
Follow me on Insta.