Every year, the Midtown International Theatre Festival likes to introduce something new for our audiences and participants.  It's our way to keep the festival experience fresh and up to date amidst the bustling activities that are in and around the theatre.  And it's all here for you to enjoy, so come out and enjoy the festival!

Be sure to check back often for updates.

2008 Midtown International Theatre Festival Actively Seeking International Submissions

From the desk of Susan Rankus, Artistic Director, International Program

Greetings Everyone!!

The 2008 Midtown International Theatre Festival Application has been posted. Please spread the news far and wide that we are officially accepting International Applications. An international applicant includes not only groups with international artists but also groups wishing to submit plays written by an international author or a play dealing with international themes.

I hope you are planning on applying or passing on to anyone who might be interested. I can tell you from personal experience, MITF is a great festival to participate in. It's big enough to get great exposure and reviews but not too big that you get lost or forgotten about.

The Midtown International Theatre Festival sets itself apart from other festivals as "the festival that cares." We do our best to
communicate any and all information and resources we feel will help your production reach its fullest potential.

This year we decided to have an early deadline for international applicants as it will give you the following advantages:

  1. Scheduling preferences!! You have the advantage of choosing your schedule and number of shows. If you are flying in from out of town or from another country and it's not in your production budget to stay in NY a whole month or do a full six shows and you wish to do only three shows on only one weekend, then just note your preference on your application and we will do our best to accommodate you.

  2. More time to prepare!! You'll have more time to research, plan, promote, raise money, find grants, and get sponsors

  3. More time to utilize our help!! We'll be sending you resources and info on everything we can think of, including:

You will notice that the international applicants must submit under Plan B. In my opinion, Plan B is the best option and I recommend it for anyone applying to this festival. If you are going to have to sell those seats, you might as well be making money off of them. Last year I produced a show in MITF under Plan B. At the end of the festival we made almost double the amount of our initial festival fee! All the information is detailed in the application, if you simply do the math you'll see it's really in your best interest.

Thank you for your time. I look forward to reading your applications! Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.

Best wishes and best of luck!

Call for Scripts: Midtown International Theatre Fest

Fresh from its most triumphant season ever, the Midtown International Theatre Festival is eagerly seeking scripts for its upcoming ninth edition (MITF9), set to begin on Monday, July 14, 2008.

The Festival encourages submissions from every genre, from drama to musical comedy, to classical revivals and experimental productions. Every show must be accompanied by a producer and production team. MITF's artistic thrust is on the script itself, and therefore asks for minimal production values.

Begun in the summer of 2000, the MITF was created to showcase talent and productions which might otherwise not be seen. Last year, the Festival took another step in that direction with the first annual MITF Awards. This year, the MITF website has been re-vamped with new material and the Festival is anticipating new venues for the summer (including a 99-seat theatre!). All theatres will be near the Festival offices at 347 West 36th Street (home of Chatterton's Where Eagles Dare Theatre and Studios). Information on venues, exact Festival dates, and more will be announced in the coming months.

Those interested in applying to the Ninth Annual Midtown International Theatre Festival must first fill out an application form. The completed application, script, any other production materials, and a non-refundable reading fee of $30.00, should be sent to: The Midtown International Theatre Festival, 347 W. 36th Street, 13th Floor, New York, NY 10018.

Most questions about the MITF should be answered by viewing the Festival Manual. If you have questions that are not addressed there, contact Judd Hollander and he will send your query to the proper person at the MITF. All entries must be postmarked by March 15th, 2008 in order to be considered for the 2008 Festival