Announcing the 2026 The Leah—submissions are open!
All women, trans, and non-binary playwrights who consider themselves emerging are eligible to apply for The Leah.
Playwrights from all over the world are encouraged to apply, but the play must be written in English. Eligibility does not require that a submitted work adhere to the traditional three-act structure. One-acts, two-acts (even four-, five-, six- acts), monologues, adaptations, and any other wild (or deceptively tame) format will be considered with equal seriousness. The only absolute requirement is that the submitted text be a completed full-length work for theater. (Please note: we are not able to accept musicals at this time.)
There is no fee to apply, and the deadline is 1/12/26 OR when 400 submissions are received.
This prize comes with a $5000 cash prize and a public reading and summer workshop as part of the Powerhouse Theater Season at Vassar College.
Finalists will be notified in March 2026, and the winner will be chosen by readers selected by board members of the Leah Ryan Fund.
For more info and to submit, go to https://leahryanfund.org/apply-the-leah
Deadline: 12 January 2026 or whenever 400 submissions are received
Source: Instagram