The Midwest Dramatists Center (MDC) is excited to announce the seventh annual Midwest Dramatists Conference on October 7-10, 2026, in Olathe, Kansas. The conference is a place for playwrights to network, learn, and have their work shared and critiqued. We invite playwrights to attend from across the country, and we encourage a diversity of voices and viewpoints.
Some of the events planned for accepted playwrights include: an evening reception with questions for the guest adjudicators, adjudicated play readings of the accepted playwrights, readings and talks as part of the William Inge Forum, breakout sessions with adjudicators, and some meals provided, including the ending gala dinner.
Adjudicators include: Palm Springs playwright/director/teacher Luke Yankee (www.lukeyankee.com); New York City playwright Mel Nieves (www.melnieves.com); Louisville, Kentucky playwright Michelle Tyrene Johnson (www.playwright-michelle-tyrene-johnson.com); and New York City producer/director/actress Jessica Ryan (www.jessicaryancreative.com).
To be selected for the conference, submit a 10-minute play with no more than three characters and a brief bio. Each accepted playwright will be given a directed reading of their play by professional actors and receive adjudicator feedback. The play must be unpublished, but previous productions or readings are acceptable. One submission per playwright. The submission window will remain open until June 1 or until we have received 125 applications. Selected playwrights will be notified by July 1.
Submit your 10-minute play and bio of no more than 150 words to director@midwestdramatists.org
Once you are accepted, the conference registration is $275.
Playwrights whose plays are chosen are required to attend the conference in order to have their plays read. The conference will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Olathe, Kansas, 12080 S Strang Line Road. The hotel is offering a discounted rate for attendees.
More details about the conference will be announced at www.midwestdramatists.org.
From the playwrights selected for the conference, two scholarships for the full cost of registration will be offered for playwrights who demonstrate financial need and provide reasons why attending the conference will benefit them as a playwright. Click here to complete the scholarship application.
