Celebrating Global Arts & Culture
ESCENA ABIERTA
International Playwriting Contest
Congratulations to the Winner of the
VI Escena Abierta International Playwriting Contest
Viajeras
By Alba Celma · Spain
Viajeras moves between two journeys separated by more than a century: Asha, a young Iranian film student living in Madrid today, and the 1889 race around the world between journalists Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland.
Through travel, ambition and displacement, the play explores migration, identity, freedom of movement and the question of who gets to tell the story.
A staged reading of Viajeras will be presented by Open Scene as part of VI FIAE in October 2026.
2027 CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
The VII Escena Abierta International Playwriting Contest opens February 1, 2027
Submissions will be accepted from February 1 through May 31, 2027, at 11:59 PM ET.
Open Scene invites playwrights from around the world to submit original works written in Spanish to the seventh edition of Escena Abierta.
Created to encourage contemporary dramatic writing in Spanish, Escena Abierta seeks distinctive theatrical voices and works of exceptional dramatic quality. We welcome different aesthetic approaches, subjects and theatrical languages, provided they are supported by strong writing, a clear dramatic vision and a compelling understanding of the stage.
PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS
01. Originality
All works must be original and unpublished. Plays that have been previously published, professionally produced or publicly presented in their entirety are not eligible.
02. Length and Format
The play must be between 35 and 60 pages, with an estimated running time of approximately 60 to 90 minutes.
The manuscript must be submitted as a PDF in a clear, readable playwriting format, using a 12-point font and numbered pages.
03. Language and Date
The work must be written in Spanish and must have been created no earlier than January 2021.
Adaptations and translations are not eligible.
04. Authorship
Applicants must be at least 18 years old and hold full authorship and rights to the submitted work.
Submissions are limited to one play per playwright.
SELECTION PROCESS
01. Evaluation
Each eligible manuscript will be reviewed anonymously by an independent jury.
02. Deliberation
The jury will evaluate all eligible works according to the criteria published below.
03. Announcement
The winner will be announced in early September 2027 through Open Scene’s website and social media channels.
AWARD
The winner of the VII Escena Abierta International Playwriting Contest will receive:
A $500 cash prize and an official diploma.
Rights Agreement
By accepting the award, the winner grants Open Scene a non-exclusive license for one year from the official announcement date to develop, present and promote the winning work.
During this period, Open Scene may:
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Conduct staged or dramatic readings of the work.
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Produce and/or adapt the work, in whole or in part, for presentation.
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Reproduce, distribute and present the work publicly or privately, whether through free or ticketed activities.
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Use the title, synopsis and excerpts from the work for promotional, educational, archival and documentation purposes related to Open Scene programs.
The author retains copyright ownership of the work throughout the entire period.
No additional compensation will be due for uses covered by this agreement unless Open Scene and the author enter into a separate written agreement for a use beyond those established here.
All rights granted under this provision expire one year after the official announcement of the winner.
HOW TO SUBMIT
No changes or revisions will be accepted once the material has been submitted.
Send your submission by email no later than May 31, 2027, at 11:59 PM ET to:
Subject line:
VII Concurso de Dramaturgia Escena Abierta: [TITLE OF THE PLAY]
In the body of the email, include:
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Title of the work
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A 4–6 sentence synopsis
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Email address
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Mobile phone number
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Full postal address
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How did you hear about the competition? Please be specific. For example: Open Scene Instagram, Facebook, Escritores.org, another website or newsletter, a university, a colleague, a friend, or another source.
Attach:
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The play in PDF format, with numbered pages, the title and the year it was written.
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Do not include the author’s name anywhere in the manuscript.
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Do not include biographical information, reviews, photographs or promotional materials.
Submissions that reveal the author’s identity within the manuscript may be disqualified in order to preserve the anonymity of the evaluation process.
Note: The award may be declared void if the jury determines that the submitted works do not meet the required artistic and dramatic standards. Non-awarded manuscripts will be deleted after the winner is announced.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
01.
Overall Dramatic Writing Quality
Strength of the theatrical writing, clarity of conflict, rhythm, internal coherence and effectiveness of the play as a complete dramatic work.
02.
03.
Clarity and Narrative Flow
The play is coherent, engaging and theatrically legible. Scenes are effectively connected, and the dramatic progression supports the experience of the work as a whole.
Characters and Dialogue
Depth, development and credibility of the characters, as well as the precision, effectiveness and theatrical quality of the dialogue.
04.
05.
Stage Feasibility
Clarity of the theatrical proposal, practical scenic potential and viability for contemporary performance without limiting artistic ambition.
Impact, Universality, and Resonance
The work’s ability to generate emotional, intellectual or reflective resonance and connect with audiences beyond its immediate geographic or cultural context.
AWARDED PLAYS
2026 · VI Edition
Winner
Viajeras
Alba Celma · Spain
2025 · V Edition
Winner
Una noche a la deriva
Antonio Oliveira Pérez · Spain
Jury Special Mention
El Guernica de Dora Maar
David Barbero · Spain
2024 · IV Edition
Winner
Nueve de Cada Diez Estrellas de Cine Me Hacen Llorar
Tomás Buccella · Argentina
Jury Special Mention
Arlequines
Marcelo Galliano · Argentina
2023 · III Edition
Winner
Aquel Mi Terrenito
Marco Mancilla · Guatemala
2022 · II Edition
Winner
La Cantante Vuelve
Abraham Hanze · Cuba
Jury Special Mention
La Madre Que No Me Parió
Antonio García del Toro · Puerto Rico
2021 · I Edition
Winner
VOS
Guillermo Severiche · Argentina
Jury Special Mention
Algo Huele a Podrido en este Edificio
Mar Gámez · Spain