Storytelling Revolution Festival 2027 Submissions Open!

The Storytelling Revolution Festival (SRF) celebrates the power of live performance to spark wonder, challenge expectations, and bring communities together through unforgettable stories.

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Produced by Actors Theatre of Louisville, in partnership with the Louisville Fringe, the SRF brings together artists creating bold new work for the stage. We are seeking stories that expand what theatre can be, reflect the richness and complexity of our world, and invite audiences into meaningful experiences.

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Whether you have a fully realized production, a work in progress, or the beginnings of an idea, we want to hear from you. We believe great stories take many forms—and sometimes the most exciting work begins with a spark.

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What We're Looking For

We welcome submissions from individual artists, ensembles, companies, and collaborators working across theatrical forms.

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Projects may include:

• Fully produced works
• Works in development
• Devised or collaborative performances
• Interdisciplinary work
• Immersive or site-responsive experiences
• Experimental, musical, movement-based, puppet, or hybrid performances

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Previous productions are welcome. Please include a detailed production history in your submission.

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Your submission should focus on what is at the heart of this festival: story. We are searching for captivating, compelling work and believe storytelling can take countless forms.

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Submission Guidelines

All submissions must be original works, and the submitting artist or company must possess the legal rights to produce and perform their piece.

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Selected artists and companies are responsible for casting, rehearsing, producing, and preparing their work for the festival.

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Actors Theatre of Louisville provides:

• Performance space
• Scheduled technical rehearsal time
• Basic lighting and sound support
• Festival publicity and marketing support
• Front-of-house operations

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Actors Theatre does not provide:

• Artist stipends
• Housing or travel assistance
• Additional production staff beyond standard venue support

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Because multiple productions share our theatre spaces, all participating projects should be designed for efficient load-in, technical preparation, and strike.

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Technical Requirements

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Scenic

• Each performance space includes a standard floor and masking package.
• No specialty rigging is permitted.
• Projects requiring large-scale scenic elements may not be suitable for SRF.

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Props

• Basic furniture inventory will be available, including tables, chairs, benches, and acting cubes.
• Artists and companies are responsible for all hand props.
• Food, liquids, or specialty materials require advance approval.

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Costumes

• Dressing rooms will be available for each performance space.
• Dressing rooms are shared spaces.
• Quick-change areas may be arranged if needed.

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Lighting

• Actors Theatre will provide a standard repertory lighting plot.
• The lighting plot cannot be altered.
• A lighting operator will run existing lighting looks but will not design or program complex lighting sequences.

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Sound

• Actors Theatre will provide a standard sound system.
• A sound operator will assist with simple QLab programming, playback, levels, and timing.
• Preferred audio formats are .wav and .aiff.
• Complex cue sequences must be pre-programmed before technical rehearsal.
• Microphones are limited to two wireless handheld microphones.

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Safety Requirements

Submissions may not use the following without prior approval
and compliance with all applicable safety regulations:

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• Nails, screws, stage screws, tacks, staples, or similar materials on stage floors
• Construction or painting directly on theatre surfaces
• Fog or haze machines
• Flash powder, explosives, or pyrotechnics
• Firearms or weapons
• Lasers
• Strobe lights
• Live flame
• Other hazardous devices, scenery, props, or costumes

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If your work includes special effects or safety considerations, please discuss these elements with festival staff before submitting.

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Our Commitment

The Storytelling Revolution Festival celebrates curiosity, imagination, and the many perspectives that shape our communities.

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We welcome work that explores complex ideas and reflects a wide range of human experiences.

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The festival does not and will not accept work that glorifies hate speech or promotes hatred toward others based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, or other protected characteristics.

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Stories may examine difficult subjects or portray characters who hold harmful beliefs, but work that celebrates or encourages discrimination is not eligible for consideration.

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How Submissions Are Evaluated

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Wonder

Does this project inspire curiosity, imagination, and connection? Does it expand what audiences believe is possible? Does it create a sense of discovery or invite audiences into something extraordinary?

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Revolution

Does this project challenge traditional ideas of theatrical storytelling? Does its form create a unique relationship between artists and audiences? Is this an experience that must happen live?

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Place

Does this project have a meaningful connection to Kentucky, Louisville, Appalachia, the American South, or the communities we serve? Does it contribute to conversations that matter here?

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Ready to Submit?

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Share your story with the Storytelling Revolution Festival by completing the submission form below.

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Submit Your Work:
https://forms.gle/yyhLueTmNMSuh8SK9

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Submission Deadline: TBA

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Questions? Contact Actors Theatre at boxoffice@actorstheatre.org