Science Playwright Competition

The Science Playwriting Competition brings science and theatre together for the dissemination of scientific knowledge through an interesting lens, providing inspiration for plays that lead to exciting ways of learning about science. They have potential as educational tools rooted in artistic expression. The best science plays can also be exceptional works of art because of their ability to aesthetically convey scientific concepts that may result in further explorations in both domains Thus, science and theatre may learn from each other, through their common goals of investigating and gaining understanding by means of experimentation.

The competition commenced in 2012 with the assistance of an NSF grant awarded for scientific outreach projects initiated by Professor of Physics Christopher Herzog with additional support from the Simons Center for Geometry and Physics, and the C.N. Yang Institute for Theoretical Physics. The competition draws playwrights from all over the world who submit 10-minute plays with compelling stories and innovative expression of science and theatricality.

Submissions for the 2024-25 Call for Plays is now closed. Please check back next year to submit a play!


2024-25 Call for Plays!

Simons Center for Geometry and Physics Science Playwriting Competition Call for Plays Submission Window Has Closed. Please check back next year to submit a play! The Science Playwriting Competition brings science and theatre together for the dissemination of scientific knowledge through an intriguing lens — providing inspiration for plays that lead to exciting ways of … Read more

Science Playwriting Competition – Virtual Staged Readings

Update 4/24/2020 – A virtual reading of the winning plays will take place on Monday May 11 at 7:00pm via createtheater.comA special thanks to Director, Steve Marsh, and the Create Theater community, who helped to make this possible. Watch the ZOOM video recording here: https://scgp.stonybrook.edu/video/video.php?id=4516 *Some plays contain some strong language The Simons Center for … Read more

2017 Playwriting Competition – Winners Announced

The Simons Center for Geometry and Physics and the C.N. Yang Institute for Theoretical Physics are pleased to announce the winners of the Fifth Annual Science Playwriting Competition Stony Brook University is at the forefront in finding new and interesting channels for the dissemination of scientific knowledge. By bringing science and theatre together, this competition has … Read more

2017 Science Playwriting Competition – Deadline for Submission, April 1, 2017

The Simons Center for Geometry and Physics, in collaboration with the C. N. Yang Institute for Theoretical Physics, announces a CALL FOR PLAYS for the 2017 SBU Science Playwriting Competition: Calling all talented playwrights with an interest in the sciences, and talented scientists with an interest in the theatre to compose a ten-minute play with a substantial … Read more

2016 Playwriting Competition – Winners and Performances

The Simons Center for Geometry and Physics and the C.N. Yang Institute for Theoretical Physics are pleased to announce: The Winners of the Fourth Annual Science Playwriting Competition A Staged Reading of the Winning Plays, to be held Wednesday, November 2 The Fifth Annual Science Playwriting Competition Stony Brook University is at the forefront in … Read more

2015-2016 Science Playwriting Competition – LAST CALL FOR PLAYS

The final submission date for entries to the 2015-2016 Science Playwriting Competition is April 1, 2016. The submission date has passed. We anticipate winners will be notified in mid to late May. The Simons Center for Geometry and Physics, in its ongoing mission to explore the intersection science and art, announces a CALL FOR PLAYS … Read more

2014 – 2015 Science Playwriting Competition

The 2014 – 2015 Science Playwriting Competition Winners Have Been Announced: 1st Place Prize = Moira Chas = “The Mathematical Visions of Alicia Boole” 2nd Place Prize = Michael Shodell – “A Number of Things” 3rd Place Prize = Colin West – “Counting Sheep” Honorable Mentions: Paige Borak – “Entropy” Hillary Bhaskaran – “A Planet is Born” … Read more