THE SEVEN is one of the nation's premiere new short works festivals. It features seven fully produced world premieres, utilizing seven different directors and a professional ensemble cast. The scripts are read by a jury of theatre professionals (blindly, without any identification of the playwright), and the seven highest scoring scripts will be produced. This year, the jury will select from scripts based on the theme: “The Heart of the Matter.” The overall Jury Award-winner will be awarded the Bradford Gromelski Prize, and will receive transportation to/from and lodging at the festival. Submit your script and be a part of FUSION’s 20th annual new short works festival!
Important Dates
March 29, 2026, at 11:59 PM (PST): Submission deadline
April 27, 2026: Winners of THE SEVEN announced
May 12, 2026: Winners of THE NM SEVEN announced
June 4–7, 2026: THE SEVEN short works fest performances
Tickets for this production are coming soon!
This production will run June 4–7. Performances will be held at FUSION | 708 in downtown Albuquerque. Performances are Thursday & Friday at 7 PM, Saturday at 2 PM & 7 PM, and Sunday at 3 PM.
Submissions Guidelines
-THE SEVEN is comprised of world premiere productions. The script must never have been produced in order to be accepted. Scripts that have received public readings only ARE eligible.
-The theme for this year's fest is “The Heart of the Matter.” Submit only unpublished/unproduced scripts which relate to this theme in some way. Do NOT use the phrase "The Heart of the Matter" in the text of the script. All theatrical genres are acceptable (drama, comedy, musical, monologues, etc.). All theatrical genres are acceptable (drama, comedy, musical, monologues, etc.).
-Scripts may be a maximum of 10 pages, in standard playwriting formats. Character/title pages do not count against the 10 page script maximum.
-Each script must be submitted as a single file set-up in this order:
1. Title page with all playwright contact information
2. Title page with no contact information
3. The script
-Make sure to include your email address. Once the submissions have been logged-in, you will receive a confirmation email, which could take up to 72 hours.
-All submissions must be digital.
-Playwrights can submit a maximum of TWO scripts total.
-There are no age/gender/career, etc. limitations in this submission process. It is open to all, and scripts from anywhere in the world will be accepted.
-If you are submitting a musical, make sure to include links to the audio files (without any identifying playwright/composer information) within the body of the script.
-There is a $5 submission fee. Submissions are only accepted online, hard copy mailings are no longer accepted.
Theme Suggestion Winner: Laurie Thomas
Your votes selected a theme submitted by FUSION's own, Laurie Thomas! She submitted "The Heart of the Matter"!
LAURIE THOMAS is co-founder and co-artistic chair of FUSION. She is a director, actor, educator, and writer. Her professional credits for acting and directing include work at Berkeley Shakespeare Festival, Theater Rhinoceros, Alice B. Theatre, Book-It Repertory Theatre, Samuel French Off Off Broadway Festival, Northwest Asian American Theatre, On the Boards, A Contemporary Theatre, Southwest Repertory Theatre, The Provincetown Tennessee Williams Festival, Berkeley Stage Company, The Empty Space, and Bay Area Playwrights Festival.
Her most recent work at FUSION includes directing ONE FLEA SPARE and NATIVE GARDENS; playing “Hazel” in THE CHILDREN and “Mom” in TRUE WEST; and conceiving & directing not LOST but FOUND in TRANSLATION for the Albuquerque Museum.