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Fire Exit Theatre

We produce excellent, innovative art that unlocks the soul of our audience through an artistic community exploring what it means to be fully human while seeking the divine.

Taste & See

Season Launch Celebration & Fundraiser

Friday Sept 25th 
Calgary First Church of the Nazarene
65 Richard Way SW

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10th Annual
Scripts on Fire Competition

** Submissions now open **

There are few things more powerful than the words, ‘Let me tell you a story’. Stories introduce us to people we’ve never met and places that we’ve never been. They focus us out on the world and reflect back on us who we are.

We want to know what stories are almost ready to make their appearance in the world. And we want to support their next steps.

We are interested in stories that make us laugh and make us cry and mostly make us look at ourselves a little differently. We love the exploration of the idea that there just might be a God and what that could mean for humanity.

If you have any questions about what to submit, how to submit, and why you should submit, contact our Artistic Director – val@fireexit.ca

  • Rules & Regulations

    • Scripts must be 80 minutes or more in length.

    • Entry deadline is October 31st, 2026 at 23:59 MST.

    • The script must be written in English.

    • The script must be original. Adaptations of other works will not be accepted.

    • Musicals will not be accepted.

    • Copyright remains with the author.

    Fees

    The script must be accompanied by a non-refundable $25.00 CDN entry fee.

    Eligibility

    • The competition is open to all residents of Canada.

    • Scripts that have been entered in other playwriting competitions are eligible.

    • Scripts that have gone through a workshop or been given public readings are eligible.

    • Scripts that have a planned production at the time of submission are NOT eligible.

    • Scripts that have been produced professionally are NOT eligible. Plays that have been commissioned are NOT eligible. (Any public performance, in which production members were paid beyond an honorarium, will be considered a professional production).

    • Staff of Fire Exit Theatre and those involved in the administration of the competition are NOT eligible.

    Jurors & Winners

    • Adjudication will be completed by three independent jurors. The jurors’ decisions are final. All scripts will be judged anonymously. Identity of the playwrights is withheld from jurors until final winners are decided.

    • Winners will be notified when the jury process is complete.

    • Winners agree to allow Fire Exit Theatre to use their name and play title in promotion of the Scripts on Fire New Play Competition.

    Prizes

    • First prize:L $500, a workshop and staged reading. ($750 provided towards travel/accommodations.)

      (Fire Exit Theatre will have the option for inaugral production as a part of their 2027-28 season)

    • Honourable Mentions: A prize of $200 may be awarded for Honourable Mention.

    Script Submission Requirements

    • The script must be received by the deadline.

    • The script must be submitted through the Scripts on Fire New Play Competition website submission form.

    • Scripts formatting should be:

      1. PDF format only and under 25MB

      2. The PDF must be portrait 8.5" x 11". No booklet formats

      3. Font: Arial, Times Roman or similar

      4. Font size: 10 to 12 points

      5. Play title and page number must appear on the top of each page

      6. Text should be double-spaced between speaking parts

    • No reference to the playwright should appear anywhere in the script – including on the title and cover page.

    • Scripts will be destroyed following the competition unless permission has been granted by the playwright for Fire Exit Theatre to retain a copy.

    For further information, contact Val Lieske, Artistic Director, Fire Exit Theatre, at val@fireexit.ca

Submit a Script

 

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We Are Fire Exit Theatre

Founded in 2002 with Hope, Challenge, Change as our foundation and a desire to create community and create in community.

Our aim is to artistically explore the world through the lens of faith. We challenge our artists and patrons to think new thoughts, lean into empathy, examine who our neighbour is, and to be open to transformation and the hope of redemption.

We invest in the emerging artists who are developing their creative voices, finding their way in the world. And we seek to learn from the established artists who have gone before. 

We have grown into a respected company who seeks to serve the arts community in Calgary and beyond.