๐๐ก๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ก๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ก๐๐ ๐ฃ๐๐๐ฌ๐ช๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ข๐ ๐ฃ๐๐ง๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ก ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฒ
Welcome to our 2026 International One-Act playwriting competition. In addition to the final three shortlisted
The competition is open to all writers over 18 years old, both members and non-members, local and international. The play submitted must be in English and be an original work of the entrant that has not yet been published, nor performed on stage previously, nor received any awards previously.
An entry fee of โฌ15 is required via PayPal (see payment button in footer).
The script length / duration of the play should be between approximately 20 and 50 minutes.
Scripts are to be sent electronically to Carlow Little Theatre Society, by emailing them to carlowlittletheatre@gmail.
PLEASE ENSURE THAT ALL DETAILS ON THE ENTRY FORM ARE CORRECT AND THAT THE ENTRANTS NAME IS NOT ON THE SCRIPT AS THE ENTRY FEE IS NON-REFUNDABLE.
DEADLINE: The deadline for entry is 5pm GMT Saturday, 31st January 2026.
WINNERS ANNOUNCEMENT: The winners will be announced at 9pm (GMT) on Friday, 6th March 2026.
There is also a category for Best Irish Play. Only authors who were either born in Ireland or, as of 2025, resident in Ireland can qualify for the Best Irish Play category. Irish plays are also considered for the main Playwriting Competition. Three independent adjudicators will judge the final scripts with 100% of the vote split evenly between them.
There will be a monetary prize of โฌ500 for 1st place, โฌ300 for 2nd place, โฌ200 for 3rd place and โฌ300 for Best Irish Play. The winning play will potentially be performed to an audience later in 2026, depending on circumstance. The Carlow Little Theatre Society One-Act Playwriting Competition is kindly sponsored by local marketing company, DigiAbรบ.
Playwrights are asked to read the guidelines below before submitting their play for consideration:
- The script length / duration of the play should be between approximately 20 and 50 minutes. As a guide, use the format: 1 page equals approximately 1 minute of performance time.
- Script formats are not strict and can take a variety of forms. However, it must be clearly formatted and the recommended format is 12pt, double-spaced, Times New Roman.
- Plays should be sent as doc (Word) or PDF, via email only. We do not accept hard copies.
- Each script should be numbered, with the title of the play at the top of each page.
- The playwrightโs name should not appear on the script.
- All entrants must be 18 years of age or older.
- The script should not have been published, performed previously or be scheduled for performance or have received any awards previously.
- The play should not be an excerpt from a longer work.
- We do not accept adaptations.
- Closing date for entries is 5pm (GMT), Saturday 31st January 2026.
- Entries are to be sent by email to carlowlittletheatre@gmail.
com with the Subject Header of โ2026 Playwriting Competitionโ. - Each submission must be accompanied by the fully completed entry form. The entry form can be downloaded directly from HERE
- An entry fee of โฌ15 is required, payable via PayPal. Only submissions that have paid the entry fee will be considered (see payment buttons in footer below). The entry fee is non-refundable.
- Only authors who were either born in Ireland or, as of 2025, resident in Ireland can qualify for the Best Irish Play category.
- Three independent adjudicators will judge the final scripts with 100% of the vote split evenly between them.
- Winners will be announced at 9pm (GMT) on Friday, 6th March 2026.