In association with the American Literary Translators Association for the fifth year, The Scoundrel and Scamp Theatre seeks short form plays in translation for an in-person staged reading performed by local actors during the ALTA conference in Tucson, November 5-8, 2025. The winner of the Plays in Translation Contest is awarded a prize of $100. 

We are particularly interested in plays that meet the following criteria:

• Plays translated from any other language into English;

• We especially encourage translation of non-European plays, though plays from Europe or in European languages will be considered on equal footing with non-European plays.

• Plays that can be performed with of six actors or fewer; 

• Plays that have a runtime of 90 minutes or less (we encourage looking up the runtime of the play in its original language to gauge this);

• Plays that feature content that is aligned with Scoundrel and Scamp’s mission to create “immersive and imaginative experiences for a diverse, cross-generational audience that inspire empathy and encourage discourse"; 

• Plays that foreground language in a manner that will work well in a staged reading (i.e., that do not heavily lean on physical theatre, scenery or props, or other non-spoken elements).

• We encourage the submission of translated plays that will open space for discussion not only about the act of translation but also about the topics and themes of the play. 

• The play reading is followed by a talkback in which the translator(s) and playwright are invited to participate either in-person or remotely. Unfortunately, travel funding is not available. 

• No repeat submissions, please. 

Submission Information

Please submit to playscripts@literarytranslators.org by May 30, 2025:

• a translation of a complete play with the original. (Plays of 90 minutes or less are preferred!)

• a brief query letter including confirmation of permission to translate the piece 

• short bios of both author and translator

• a note as to whether the translator would be available to attend the performance, if their work is selected

• Please note: if selected as the winner, the translator must secure the appropriate permission to present a one-time, non-recorded staged reading of the translated play at The Scoundrel and Scamp Theatre in Tucson, Arizona.

Please send any questions regarding this Call for Plays to playscripts@literarytranslators.org.