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We Want Your Story Told

Apply Now: Sharing Our Stories 2025 is Open for Submissions

The Rose Theater is now accepting proposals for new plays and musicals to be developed and produced in our 2025–26 season. Through Sharing Our Stories, we aim to elevate underrepresented voices and empower artists to tell stories they want young people in our community to experience.

Request for Proposals for 45-75 minute long NEW PLAYS & MUSICALS to be developed and produced at The Rose Theater from Omaha-area and Nebraska artists from communities whose voices are currently under-represented on our stages. We are interested in artists who identify as global majority, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color, as well as artists with exceptionalities, and other artists whose voices contribute to cultural equity to tell the stories they would like young people to engage with in our community.

Who We’re Looking For

We are seeking proposals from:

  • Adult artists (18+) residing in Omaha or Nebraska who personally identify as:
    • Global Majority, Black, Indigenous, or Persons of Color
    • Artists with exceptionalities
    • Creators whose stories contribute to cultural equity

Project
Details

Piece Length

45–75 minutes

Development Compensation

$500

Compensation to work on the project: $500 in the development phase, with the expectation that the artist will be ready to participate in meetings about the project, and at least 1-2 development workshops, within a 12 month period.

Commission Fee (if produced)

$1,000–$5,000 depending on scale

If The Rose produces the piece, the artist will be commissioned at a fee to be mutually agreed upon (typically $3,000-$5,000 for a mainstage play or a work for the very young, $1,000-$2,000 for school tours, youth productions and most other uses). Adaptations of existing copyrighted work are often subject to approval from rights holders. If such approval is granted, The Rose will pay for the underlying rights and hand over negotiations of future royalty splits for the artist themselves to solidify with rights holders.

Development Period

August 2025 – August 2026

Culminates in

A rehearsed reading for invited audiences.

Submission Guidelines

  • A one to two page treatment or a short video about the play, idea, or concept.
  • An artist statement explaining your artistic passions, your collaboration style, and what you would like to accomplish throughout the year. This can be shared in whatever form the artist most feels express themselves- video, written text, visual art.
  • If applicable, samples of past work (scene samples, poems, choreography, music, etc.)
  • If applicable, a Resume, CV, or Bio

*Add a statement as to why you would like to work specifically with the Rose & why this program

Priority given to submissions received by August 1, 2025.  Finalists will be invited to interview with the selection committee to discuss their project.  Projects for 2025-26 season will be selected by August 11, 2025.  The Year Long development will culminate in a rehearsed reading for invited audiences at the end of August 2026.

How to Submit

Submissions and questions should be addressed to briang@rosetheater.org