Elmhurst’s GreenMan Theatre puts out call for plays for its sixth annual ‘8 to the Bar’ festival

GreenMan Theatre Troupe has selected “Lights! Camera! Action!” as the prompt for its sixth annual play festival of eight 10-minute plays — “8 to the Bar” — to be performed July 2026 in Villa Park, Ill.

“Actions speak louder than words,” said Craig Gustafson, the play festival’s project coordinator and member of GreenMan Theatre’s play reading committee. “It’s a small performance space, so a three-person swordfight is a bad idea. Think outside the box.”

The 10-minute play format can be a challenging one, Gustafson said. “A 10-minute play teaches playwrights how to get their point across in eight pages and develops discipline,” he said. “If your play is selected as one of our eight finalists it can get your foot in the door and be a steppingstone for more ambitious projects.”

For GreenMan Theatre’s 2026 “8 to the Bar,” a maximum of 120 submissions will be accepted from playwrights worldwide.

Beginning Dec. 6, 2025, at 9 a.m. (Central Time) to Jan. 6, 2026, at 9 a.m. (Central Time), playwrights may submit one play via greenmantheatre.org/8-to-the-bar-2026.html until the quota of 120 plays is received. (Note: For the 2025 production, the quota was reached within the first eight hours.) There is no reading fee for submissions.

Selected plays will be announced on June 1, 2026. Director submissions will be open on April 1, 2026. Playwrights may submit to direct.

Each play submitted to GreenMan Theatre must be in English, limited to eight pages, feature no more than six actors and have a simple set and props. For a complete list of “Play Submission Guidelines,” go to greenmantheatre.org/8-to-the-bar-2026.html.

First-, second- and third-place cash prizes for selected plays will be determined by audience voting during the show’s run. A free subscription to website PlaySubmissionsHelper.com is also included. Questions can be directed to GM10MP@comcast.net.

In its 22nd season, GreenMan Theatre Troupe is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization whose mission is to provide a source of cultural enrichment and pride for the community by presenting diverse, quality productions and providing opportunities for personal growth in the theatrical arts.

GreenMan has been presenting plays in Elmhurst since being founded in 2003. Past productions include “Dracula,” “Pride and Prejudice” and “Doubtful Abbey.” GreenMan also offers classes and workshops for members and the community and welcomes new members and participants in all aspects of theater production.

GreenMan programs are partially supported by Explore Elmhurst, as well as other individual and corporate donations.