EST/Sloan Project Play Submissions

The EST/Sloan Project commissions, develops and presents new works delving into how we view and are affected by the scientific world. These plays examine the struggles and challenges scientists and engineers face from moral issues to the consequences of their discoveries.

The Project is designed to stimulate artists to create credible and compelling work exploring the worlds of science and technology and to challenge existing stereotypes of scientists and engineers in the popular imagination. The Project commissions new works which may go on to further development during EST’s developmental season, including one Mainstage Production, as well as workshops and readings in an annual festival called FIRST LIGHT.

Sinvce 1998, the EST/Sloan Project has awarded commissions totaling more than $3,000,000 to more than 300 artists and theatres. Previous commissionees can be found here.

COMMISSION AWARDS

New Play Commissions will be awarded to individuals, groups and creative teams for full-length plays and musicals.

We do not commission plays for children.

Commissions range from $5000 to $10,000. Commission amounts are determined on a case-by-case basis, as are deadlines for drafts, finished work, and research support (if appropriate). Although commissioned plays will be considered for developmental programming, the commission does not guarantee further development at EST. 

Please note that at this time, EST is not able to further develop musicals past the commission stage.

Full-length works may be submitted and are evaluated on a script-by-script basis by the EST/Sloan Project staff. Rewrite commissions for existing scripts range from $2,000 to $5,000.

Commissions are also available for regional theaters who wish to sponsor a local play or musical focused on science and technology, either by commissioning a new script or developing an extant piece. Regional commission amounts are determined on a case-by-case basis, ranging from $2,000 - $5,000. Theaters seeking support for a project that is already scheduled should be aware that that grants are generally awarded in the summer after the submission deadline, so projects happening before that will not be eligible for consideration.

RESUBMISSIONS

We do not accept repeat submissions unless you have been expressly invited to resubmit or if you have substantially revised your proposal.

Learn more about the individual requirements for each type of submission:

New Play Commissions

Rewrite Commissions

Regional Development Grant Commissions

Please contact us with any questions.

Thanks, 
EST/Sloan Project Staff
sloanproject@ensemblestudiotheatre.org

To learn more about the program

Check out the above recording of our annual EST/Sloan Project Artist Cultivation event. The evening featured panelists Sam Chanse, Mandë Holford, Latif Nasser, Daniela Schiller, & Lloyd Suh, with moderator Sophie Bushwick for a far-ranging discussion about science, story-telling, and what makes plays work. The Cultivation Event is a great resource for any playwright interested in developing a play about science & Technology.