STAGE PLAY WITH FRIENDS

STAGE PLAY WITH FRIENDS is Jersey City’s cold reading series for new works-in-progress. The intention is to create a safe space where artists of all levels perform and network with fellow artists, and a vibrant and inclusive artist community in Jersey City. STAGE PLAY WITH FRIENDS casts and presents excerpts of new writing to an audience of fellow artists and supporters.

We have an open submissions policy, and host an open casting session at the start of each event. We welcome prose, solo work, poetry, plays, screen plays, tv pilots, sketches and music with written lyrics.

FIRST READING OF 2026 February 11, 2026 from 6:30 – 8 pm Multipurpose Room, Priscilla Gardner Main Library

There will be 3-5 works-in-progress chosen from pre-submissions, and 10 minutes will be allotted to each. If your work was not chosen for the inaugural event, it will be considered for future readings. Actors, arrive at 5:45 pm and inform the creative co-directors (Cynthia Cleto or Pamela Hirschberg) you would like to be considered for casting.

Follow us on Instagram: @stageplayjc

SUBMISSIONS

Submit your work to: stageplayjc@gmail.com

Prose pieces: no more than 5 pages (12-point font, double-spaced, 1 inch margins)

Multi-character dramatic pieces (i.e. plays and screenplays): 10 pages maximum, in a standard format (12-point font, double-spaced, 1 inch margins)

Music: email song files to: stageplayjc@gmail.com

Include a front page that has: your name, email address and phone number. Please include: date of submission & a character breakdown list. We will not accept adaptations of existing work.

ON THE DAY OF THE EVENT 

Writers: please print the same number of copies of your script as the number of performers. Include the “narrator” or “stage direction” as a performer. Musicians: please bring any necessary instruments or equipment (including amplifiers if needed).

NOTE ABOUT STAGE PLAY WITH FRIENDS

We are committed to fostering a respectful and inclusive environment. Disrespectful behavior towards staff, artists, or audience members will not be tolerated.