Announcing PlayList: Duets

Submissions open through June 30th

After a successful launch in 2023, we are pleased to announce the 2024 cycle of PlayList, a short play development series. PlayList is for writers of any background, identity, education or experience level who are interested in honing their work on a short script with a room full of artists experienced in new play development. 

The CRY HAVOC Company believes that writing a script doesn’t have to be a solitary experience. Feedback at key points in the writing process can bring you closer to your goals. Our approach to script development places your writing goals at the center of the workshop discussion, ensuring that collaborators are offering feedback in service of the play you are trying to write.

If you are interested in seeing how our structured feedback process can support your work, apply to be one of our PlayList writers!

PlayList participants will write new 10-minute scripts inspired by creative prompts linked by a theme. The 2024 theme is Duets; each writer will draw inspiration for a two-character play from a duet song and a work of art that evokes “duality.”  Playwrights will complete the project with a rigorously-crafted short play ready for submission to festivals and contests—and a public presentation of their work. CRY HAVOC is especially seeking artists from underrepresented communities for this project.

What’s the process?

Five playwrights will be selected to craft 10-minute plays over eight feedback sessions (with 2-3 plays read in each workshop), culminating in an Equity 29-Hour Reading of all five PlayList scripts for the public.

How does it work?

Each writer will be paired with a facilitator—a CRY HAVOC artist to check in with before/after each feedback session. Facilitators moderate each session in support of the playwright and their goals. The feedback sessions will include our roster of artists with years of new play dramaturgy experience, the other PlayList writers, and their invited guests and colleagues.

PlayList applicants are asked to commit to participation in a preliminary welcome meeting via Zoom, six in-person workshop sessions, two final-draft Zoom workshop sessions, and the public reading. See schedule below (all sessions will be in the evening):

Week of 8/11 (date TBD): Welcome Zoom meeting

Mon. 8/26 and Wed. 8/28: In-person workshops, 1st drafts

Wed. 9/4 and Thu. 9/5: In-person workshops, 2nd drafts

Mon. 9/9 and Wed. 9/11: In-person workshops, 3rd drafts

Week of 9/15 (dates TBD): Zoom workshops, rehearsal drafts

Mon. 10/7: Public presentation

Who should apply?

You should apply to PlayList if you are:

  • an early-career artist looking to collaborate with established artists

  • an established artist looking for tools to support the development of new work

  • a writer interested in supporting the work of other writers

  • searching for  a community of artists to serve as a “home base” for creative feedback and support

  • a writer that doesn’t know what you are going to write next!


How can I apply?

If you are interested in participating in PlayList, please submit:

  • a 10-page writing sample and brief description why/how is this sample representative of your work

  • a duet song that has particular significance to you and brief explanation - why this song?

  • a work of art that evokes “duality” (e.g. painting, sculpture, photography, architecture, dance, etc.) and brief explanation - why this work of art? How does it evoke “duality” to you?


    Submissions can be made to THIS FORM