The stage is ready for new voices. The Lagos International Theatre Festival has officially opened its doors for play submissions, welcoming both local Nigerian playwrights and international dramatists. This annual celebration of storytelling seeks works that move, challenge, and inspire audiences from across the globe.
The international play submission call arrives earlier than in previous years, giving writers more time to polish their manuscripts. Festival organizers want raw, honest narratives, stories rooted in culture, conflict, joy, and resistance. Whether your play runs ten minutes or two hours, the selection committee wants to read it.
Local and international writers are equally encouraged. Nigerian playwrights will receive dedicated programming slots, but the festival prides itself on cross-cultural exchange. Past festivals have featured works from South Africa, the United Kingdom, Brazil, and Ghana. This year, organizers hope to expand further into Asia and the Middle East.
Submissions must be original, unpublished full-length or one-act plays. Musicals, solo performances, and experimental theatre all qualify. There is no submission fee for Nigerian citizens.
The selection team prioritizes emotional impact over polish. A play that makes an audience gasp, weep, or sit in stunned silence matters more than perfect formatting. Organizers specifically want stories that could not happen anywhere else, tales soaked in specific places, languages, and truths.
Key selection criteria include:
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Authentic voice and cultural specificity
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Emotional stakes that feel urgent
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Produciability with modest technical requirements
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Fresh perspectives on universal themes
The submission window closes on September 30, 2026. Selected playwrights will be notified by November 15. The festival itself runs from February 10–17, 2027, across multiple venues in Lagos Island and mainland. Travel stipends are available for a limited number of international artists.
Playwrights must submit a PDF of the script, a 300-word synopsis, and a brief bio. All materials go through the festival’s online portal. Selected works will receive production support, marketing, and a full creative team.
Every great play started as a quiet idea in someone’s head. Then someone wrote it down. Then someone read it aloud. Then an audience leaned forward. The Lagos theatre festival submissions process exists to find those moments. Do not hold back. Send your story.
