PRODUCTION FOR ALL

FYBY New Plays Festival

All ages

For Youth By Youth Theatre, or FYBY (rhymes with sky) is committed to uplifting works that are for youth, by youth, or (ideally!) for youth and by youth. We celebrate young voices and stories that reflect the creativity and complexity of youth artists.

FYBY has an open call for play submissions from early and emerging playwrights. We will begin accepting play submissions May through June 2026, or until we receive 100 submissions, whichever comes first. After the submission window closes, three outstanding works will be selected for staged readings featuring local Chicago actors and directors. A staged reading performance will be in September. Playwrights will be notified if their work was selected by July 2026.

We do not have a theme or required format for 2026 submissions. Plays simply need to include the total number of actors. Playwrights must be at early or emerging stages of their career, click “Learn more!” for a definition. Plays do not need to be TYA (theatre for young audience.) We especially encourage submissions from youth playwrights. Youth playwrights are under 25 years of age.

Our “Submit a Play Here!” button will go live with starting May 1, 2026.