BRIDGE SHORTS
A grassroots ten-minute play festival
Calling all writers!
We’re excited to announce the launch of our new writing festival of ten-minute plays, to be performed in our upstairs performance space in October 2026.
THEME: BELONGING
In a time when division can feel overwhelming, we believe in the power of stories to connect us. We invite you to explore the theme of BELONGING.
What does it mean to find your people, your place, or your home? What happens when we're cast out? Where do we truly feel we belong?
We're looking for ten-minute plays that respond to this theme in any way you choose: literally or metaphorically, comically or tragically.
The Horsebridge grassroots ten-minute play festival is built from the ground up, by and for our community. We want to nurture grassroots theatre in Whitstable and the surrounding area, so if you're local, we especially want to hear from you. But wherever you're based, if you've got a story to tell about belonging, you're in the right place.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
To keep things manageable and beginner-friendly, we have a few simple rules:
Length: Maximum 10 minutes (shorter is fine).
Your script absolutely must be able to be performed in 10 minutes, including all pauses for audience reaction (this is especially important if you’re writing comedy - leave space for laughs).Cast: Maximum two actors (actors may double, up to four characters total).
This keeps production simple and staging flexible.Theme: Must respond in some way to the theme of BELONGING.
Please don’t try to force an obviously pre-written play to ‘fit’ the theme.New Writing Strongly Preferred: This festival is about creating new work and giving writers a chance to see their words on stage. If your play has had a rehearsed reading or a workshop, that's fine, we just ask that it hasn't been fully staged before.
Setting: Minimal. Our "frugal aesthetic" means plays should be performable with basic set pieces (e.g., two chairs, a table). We want the focus on your words and the actors. We will be producing six to ten plays in one go, so all staging and props must be simple and light enough to be carried on and off stage by the actors. Keep in mind that only generic lighting cues and sound tech will be possible and that scenic projections will not be possible.
Submission: Scripts are read "blind" to ensure fairness. You'll submit with a title and unique identifier only. We will select six to ten plays for performance.
Stick to writing: Selected scripts will be cast and directed by someone else. Writers may not direct or perform in their own plays (but you can apply/audition to direct or act in someone else’s). This allows you to sit in the audience and see your work performed, and gives more opportunities for directors and actors in our community to engage with new work.
Be human: We understand you might want to use AI to ‘tidy up’ your work, but - we want YOUR voice, spelling mistakes, typos, messy formatting and all.
Submission Window Opens: 20 April
Submission Deadline: 20 July
HOW TO SUBMIT
Email your script as a PDF to events@thehorsebridge.org.ukwith the subject line "SUBMISSION: [Your Play Title]". Include a separate title page with your name and contact details, but ensure your name does not appear anywhere on the script itself to keep readings blind.
SELECTION PROCESS
We will work with a selection panel to select six to ten plays for performance. Members to be announced. All submissions will be read by at least two people. Writers who have submitted scripts may not join the panel.
NB: This is an amateur performance showcase festival. Rights are not payable and submission of scripts will be taken as permission to perform the material according to The Horsebridge Arts Centre’s 2026 programme, without conditions. Writers will retain all copyright of their scripts and performance in this showcase will not constitute a professional performance or publication.
WHY DO THIS?
Because your voice matters. Because a room full of people watching a story unfold is still one of the most magical things in the world. Because we believe that belonging is something we create together.
QUESTIONS?
If you are unsure of any of the rules or have any questions, please reach out.
Email us at events@thehorsebridge.org.uk with the subject line: “FESTIVAL QUERIES”