The Premiere Playhouse’s three phase Premiere Premieres program serves as a platform and development lab for local artists creating original theatrical works. Through an open submission and blind review process, we seek out new, original one-act plays generated by talent residing in and around Sioux Falls, South Dakota (Phase 1). Four to five semi-finalist submissions are invited to produce concert readings in front of our esteemed panel of scholarly adjudicators consisting of theatre educators, directors, producers, writers, and adaptors where writers receive practical guidance and positive critiques on further developing their work, in addition to participating in a structured, open dialogue about the play with adjudicators and audience members of the Festival of New Plays (Phase 2). From these reading presentations, two finalist plays will be chosen for full production treatment and further play development opportunities in our annual production of The Premiere Premieres at the historic Orpheum Theater in downtown Sioux Falls (Phase 3).

Season 22 new play submissions are now closed. Please keep writing and check back next spring. Submissions typically take place from April – June.

The 2024 Festival of New Plays will be held on Saturday, September 7th from 9:00am to 5:00pm at the Belbas Theater in the Washington Pavilion.

This year’s scholars:

• Dr. Jayna Gearhart Fitzsimmons
• Dr. Richard W. Swanson
• Luke Tatge
• Oliver Mayes, MFA

Featuring two one-act plays written by local playwrights and selected by a panel of adjudicators during a one day festival of staged readings. The Premiere Premieres is a professionally produced one of a kind production with completely local talent, both on stage and off-stage. Our next two shows of The Premiere Premieres will be announced shortly after the Festival of New Plays.

*Performed by local actors of a variety of ages