New Works Play Festival

Three Day Event Featuring You!

Showcase Performances: July 30th-August 1 At COVA Church

This summer we are looking to cast a wider net by hosting a new works play festival for original plays and performances from our talented community. We are looking for submissions to participate in our three day event which will include a variety of original stage productions ranging from short plays, monologues, and one acts. We are also looking for local artists, dance studios, and theater departments to have booths to promote their business, classes, and upcoming seasons.

Why New Works?

From our inception, King’s Players Community Theatre has not only been committed to producing plays and musicals you know and love, we have provided opportunities to promote, showcase, and support original works within our community. Prior to our very first production of Pride and Prejudice we hosted a live table read for Naomi and the Proselyte. Later that summer, we showcased two one act plays June is Fading, and Twenty Questions written by local playwrights. The following year Couples Anonymous hit the stage demonstrating that we can produce original works that audiences will support. Building on this success we followed with another live table read for Scourge of Egypt (formerly Exodus), and last summer we showcased the first acts of both Naomi and the Proselyte, and Scourge of Egypt using a common cast.

Key Dates

Festival Dates Thursday July 30 - Saturday Aug 1 (Thursday and Friday evenings, Saturday is an all day event)
Submission Deadline: May 1st w/ $25 non-refundable submission fee
Inclusion Notification: May 18th all submissions will be notified whether or not they will be included in the festival performance.
Acceptance Deadline: May 23, act confirm their acceptance to perform at the festival
Information Meeting: TBD Online meeting(s) for question/answers and support.

Rules and Limitations

All applicants must submit their full script and submission fee by May 1,2026 to be considered for inclusion in the festival. If your submission is selected the fee covers attendance of all festival events for cast and production team. Non-selected submissions will receive one complimentary admission to all festival events. Submissions should be original works by the submitter or authorized representative of the playwright(s). KPCT is not responsible for covering any expenses or licensing fees related to the production of submitted works. Unauthorized use of copyrighted materials will not be permitted.

Participation in the festival is subject to the discretion of the KPCT board of directors and members of the Festival Review Committee. KPCT is a Christ-centered community theatre committed to serving Hampton Roads through excellence in the performing arts. All participants must agree to adhere to our code of conduct. This festival is open to all, but may include works with content that is not suitable for all ages and appropriate content warnings will be provided. If you have questions regarding what may or may not be acceptable please contact Richard Johnson at scriptreview@kpctheatre.org prior to submitting your application.

Responsibilities of Festival Submitters

Each accepted submission will be responsible for producing their work. This includes, providing scripts, directing, casting, set design, props, and costuming, stage crew as needed. Acts requiring background audio and or light cues must provide a caller to work with our operators.

KPCT will provide the performance venue and basic stage lighting (up/down cues), and audio for background music or sound effects. Due to the nature of this event KPCT will be unable to provide body mics for performers.

Venue

The festival will take place at CoVA Church, 301 S. Newtown Rd., Norfolk. The black box stage in the youth room will be used for the majority of performances as its smaller space is more conducive to unamplified performances. Invited featured performances may be performed in the sanctuary as deemed appropriate by the Festival Committee.

Rehearsal

Each act is responsible for scheduling and securing rehearsal space as deemed fit. KPCT will provide limited spaces and times throughout the summer at CoVA for groups to rehearse on a first come first serve basis via a sign up sheet. Use of KPCT space is at the discretion and supervision of KPCT facilities staff.

Tech/Dress

Each performance will be provided time slots to rehearse on stage on Monday and Tuesday July 27-28.

Promotions

KPCT will promote the festival and all festival acts via social media and our website. Festival T-shirts will be designed to include each original work. KPCT will provide festival directors limited support with casting calls and other networking related help to assist in production.

Concessions

KPCT will be offering concessions throughout the festival event days.

Tickets

Festival tickets will be $25 which include full access to all performances and workshops. Does not include merchandise or concessions. Tickets are non-transferable. Group rates will be available.

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Summer 2025 New Works

Noel Lewis and Richard Johnson are thrilled to announce that we are partnering with King's Players Community Theatre to workshop and showcase the first acts of their new musicals this summer! Both musicals have had live table reads at KPCT in the past, and this is the next step to bring these works to a full production in the future.. Noel’s Scourge of Egypt, tells part of the story of the Exodus with power and intrigue that will be sure to captivate. Richard’s Naomi and the Proselyte, presents the book of Ruth with Naomi as the central figure as she sojourns physically, emotionally, and spiritually from Bethlehem, to Moab, and home again.

About Scourge of Egypt

By Noel Lewis

Plunge into a time a few thousand years ago under the reign of Pharaoh Thutmose, where the children of Israel groan under the heavy burden of their bondage making bricks, day after weary day. God hears their cry and raises up Moses. Born a son of slaves, God delivers him from certain death and he is raised in secret in the midst of Pharaoh’s own house and court. A flawed man, Moses goes from a son of slaves, to prince, to murderer, to exile in the wilds of the Arabian Desert. There, God meets with Moses in the burning bush and equips him to return to Egypt to be the voice of God to Pharaoh, and to the gods of Egypt. Through mighty signs and miracles, God frees His people, reminding them, and us, that we are all in need of a savior.

About Naomi and the Proselyte

By Richard Johnson

The night before young Solomon’s presentation at the Tabernacle, he asks his mother Bathsheba for one more story. Instead of another battlefield triumph, she tells him a tale of two women, the kind whom many overlook. In a blink of an eye things start to change as mother and son take a journey through time and space to witness the life of Naomi as she sojourns from Bethlehem, to Moab, and back again. Experience uncertainty turn into assurance, and bitterness become sweet through the power of God’s redeeming love.