It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like ... Summer?

Now that the holidays are over and cold weather is no longer charming, it's time to think of summer and all of the theatre festivals that will have the run of Gotham from July through September. A list of a few of them follows, complete with application deadlines and run dates. Two are already accepting script submissions, one's application process starts today, and another starts tomorrow. 

The Summer Play Festival is no longer accepting scripts, but will begin to accept resumes for directors, producers, designers, and interns. For actors just starting out or new to the city, interning at a festival is a great way to network.

Samuel French One-Act Play Festival (July 14-19): Manhattan's oldest continuous short-play festival has been running for 33 years, and this year will feature 40 short plays culled from hundreds of applicants. Plays run for a week at the Jay Sharp Theatre on West 42nd Street and are judged; six finalists are published and licensed.

Application Process: Begins today, Jan. 6, and runs through March 6. No entry with a postmark after March 6 will be accepted for 2009.

The New York Musical Theatre Festival (Sept. 28-Oct. 18): One of the few festivals devoted entirely to musicals, it was the launching pad for Altar Boyz and others.

Application Process: Starts tomorrow, Jan. 7, and runs through March 2.

Midtown International Theatre Festival (July 13-Aug. 3): About to celebrate its 10th year, MITF is wildly eclectic, featuring plays and musicals, new works and revivals, short plays and readings. It also has an extensive awards ceremony in early September.

Application Process: Started Dec. 15 and runs through Feb. 5. There are significant application and participation fees. Read the information carefully.

The New York International Fringe Festival (Aug. 14-30): It's not the oldest or the longest, but it has developed a reputation for being, perhaps, the most prestigious. Helped launch Urinetown to Broadway and Debbie Does Dallas to Off-Broadway, among others.

Application Process: Started Dec. 1 and runs through Feb. 1.

Summer Play Festival(July 7-Aug. 2): The brain-child of Broadway producer Arielle Tepper (Frost/Nixon, Spamalot, The Pillowman), SPF features about 15 plays each summer.

Application Process: No longer accepting admissions for scripts, but it will begin accepting resumes for directors, producers, designers, and interns later this month and in February. Check back with the Work Opportunities page on its site for further details. Selected scripts will be announced in the spring.

--Andrew Salomon