dark-attentiondark-datedark-timedark-contactdark-infodark-play dark-pricedark-venueicon-alert icon-arrow-left icon-arrow-right icon-blockquote icon-cal icon-clock icon-contact UI / Full-Part-Volunteer CopyCreated with Sketch. EPS IconCreated with Sketch. icon-facebook--dark_circle icon-facebook--dark_square icon-facebook--outline_circle icon-facebook--outline_square icon-facebookCreated with Sketch. icon-htm icon-info icon-instagram--dark_circle icon-instagram--dark_square icon-instagram--outline_circle icon-instagram--outline_square icon-instagram icon-linkedin--dark_circle icon-linkedin--dark_squareicon-linkedin--outline_circleicon-linkedin--outline_squareicon-linkedin icon-logo2 icon-mp3 icon-pinterest--dark_circle icon-pinterest--dark_square icon-pinterest--outline_circle icon-pinterest--outline_square icon-pinterestCreated with Sketch. icon-play icon-price icon-spotify--dark_circle icon-spotify--dark_square icon-spotify--outline_circle icon-spotify--outline_square icon-spotify icon-spreadsheet icon-threads--dark_circle icon-threads--dark_square icon-threads--outline_circle icon-threads--outline_square icon-threads icon-tiktok--dark_circle icon-tiktok--dark_square icon-tiktok--outline_circle icon-tiktok--outline_square icon-tiktok icon-twitter--dark_circle icon-twitter--dark_square icon-twitter--outline_circle icon-twitter--outline_square icon-twitterCreated with Sketch. icon-x--dark_circle icon-x--dark_square icon-x--outline_circle icon-x--outline_square icon-x icon-youtube--dark_circle icon-youtube--dark_square icon-youtube--outline_circle icon-youtube--outline_square icon-youtubeCreated with Sketch. FolderCreated with Sketch. icon-zoom light-attentionlight-cal light-clocklight-contactlight-infolight-play light-pricelight-venue

Submit Your Play for the Community Bake-Off

What is a Bake Off?

Created by the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel, the Bake-Off is a communal writing event in which writers are given a random list of “ingredients” to incorporate into a play (for example: a kitchen sink, a front porch, and a withheld secret) to help inspire creativity and give writers permission to play. Hudson Valley community members are invited to submit short plays to be considered as part of the HVSF Community Bake-Off. Between 5-7 of these plays will be selected to be performed by professional actors, in-person on November 11th and 12th.

Who is eligible to submit a play to the Bake-Off?

Anyone who has attended any of the recent workshops in Fall 2023 or has submitted to previous Bake-Offs is eligible to submit a play.

When are submissions due?

Submissions are due at 11:59pm on Friday, October 13. Play submissions should be made via Google Form as a Microsoft Word of PDF file and will then be reviewed by a team of readers.

When will I find out if my play has been selected?

We’ll notify you by Friday, October 20.

When will I need to be available if my play is selected?

Two performances will be held in-person on November 11 & 12. You will also be invited to a rehearsal to give feedback to the actors and director.

What are the ingredients?

Our recipe for this year was crafted by Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Sarah Ruhl. You should include at least three of these ingredients in your play.

✔️A dare
✔️A map
✔️A vow
✔️An unwanted heirloom
✔️An unopened letter
✔️A child
✔️A rotten apple
✔️A messenger bird
✔️An act of forgiveness
✔️A dream

How long does my play have to be?

You should aim for around 10 pages, but if your play is a bit longer or shorter, that is okay.

What information do I need to include with my submission?

On the first page, be sure to include the title, your name, and your phone number and email address. You should also include the setting (time and place) and a list of characters and short descriptions (including age or age range, and any other basic information you think is important to understand your play). For example: HAROLD – male, 50s. Jeannie’s father.

How do you format a play?

An example of play formatting is posted here.

Have questions?

Write Christine Scarfuto: BakeOff(at)hvshakespeare.org.

Now, get writing!


Sponsored by a Humanities New York Vision/Action Grant