Philly Women’s Theatre Fest returns with call for submissions

Last summer, we featured the inaugural Philadelphia Women’s Theatre Festival, whose acronym is not-quite-coincidentally PWTF. As artistic director Polly Edelstein pointed out last year, it’s a handy way of saying, “Philly, what the fuck?” Why aren’t more shows written, directed, and produced by women?

PWTF will be back this year for an expanded run, August 1-7. The line-up isn’t out yet because organizers are still accepting applications from playwrights (for staged readings) and presenting artists through March 31.

The 2015 line-up lasted for four days, based out of Asian Arts Initiative, and included two mainstage shows, staged readings, comedy, and educational and networking events like panels and workshops.

Last year, the call drew about 100 applications from all over the country, and Edelstein says this year’s submissions have been rolling in steadily since PWTF opened the 2016 call this winter. “We will be deciding on featured artists and playwrights in mid-April and announcing them shortly after,” she says.

Writers and artists who want to apply for inclusion in the fest can find the applications online through March 31, 2016.