“BSBV’s mission is to tell and amplify Black stories and Black voices through playwriting, acting and all theatrical disciplines. With BSBV, we hope to help shine a light on the richness of the Black experience in the Appalachian region, and for this region, with plays, readings, and community engagement opportunities such as our post show events during our main stage season and our annual SHINE: Illuminating Black Stories event. Below you will be able to read more about our initiative, see our upcoming events, and find resources about our playwriting submissions.”
– Terrance Jackson, Barter’s Black Stories Black Voices
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WRITING RESOURCES & SUBMISSIONS
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
BSBV’S MONOLOGUE COMPETITION
It is our hope that by connecting Black playwrights (wherever they are located) with stories from Black Appalachian communities, we can:
- Create monologues that can be developed into full-length plays
- Create work that explores the Black Appalachian experience, both past and present
- Establish and cultivate relationships with Black playwrights and other Black theatre artists
- Give audiences accessibility to new perspectives on life in Appalachia
2-3 monologues will be selected to be performed at our 5th Annual SHINE: Illuminating Black Stories in 2026.
Monologue Submission Guidelines
- Playwright must be Black.
- Monologues must be set in Appalachia. (Click Here list of qualifying states/counties as defined by the Appalachian Regional Commission)
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Monologues must be 3-5 minutes in length.
- Monologues must be unpublished and not have had a professional production.
- Monologues must be submitted electronically.
Deadline for 5th Annual SHINE Submissions: Coming Soon
Please submit monologues to: tjackson@bartertheatre.com
Full Length Play Submission Guidelines
- Playwright must be Black.
- Plays must be written by an Appalachian playwright or the plays must be set in the Appalachian Region. (Click here for list of qualifying states/counties as defined by the Appalachian Regional Commission.)
- Plays must be full length.
- Plays must be unpublished and not have had a professional production.
- Plays must be submitted electronically.
Deadline for 2025 Submissions: CLOSED
Please submit plays to: apfestival@bartertheatre.com
