Submit now: Hugo – Der Kinderstückpreis

Together with other theatres, the SCHÄXPIR Theater Festival is launching Hugo – Der Kinderstückpreis. We are looking for new plays for children aged 6 and over. Submissions are open until 1 November.

New plays for the big stage

We are looking for new plays with a large cast (for 6–8 performers) featuring multi-layered characters, wit and humour, a playful spirit and an exciting plot, with a love of language and bold dramaturgy: Plays for children aged 6 and over, closely reflecting the realities of children’s lives – their fears and dreams, their struggles, and the exciting and perilous adventures of growing up, understanding the world, conquering it and changing it in a rapidly changing world. In short: we want something grand, something bold with a dash of madness – for the children of the 21st century.

Call for entries and process

From all submissions, a jury comprising adults and children will select four authors for a three-month writing residency. The authors will be supported in their ideation and writing process by teams from the three theatres, invited guests and young experts. The results will be presented, discussed and celebrated at a festival in Vienna in June 2027. Subsequently, as part of the SCHÄXPIR Festival in Linz, one or more texts will be awarded prizes, accompanied by a world premiere during the 2028/2029 season at the TdJ Neubaugasse and the Junges Schauspiel Düsseldorf.

The prize money (€10,000) is provided by the Edith und Werner Rieder Stiftung.

Dates and deadlines
Online kick-off sessions: Monday, 19 October, 5.00–7.00 pm / Tuesday, 20 October, 11.00 am–1.00 pm

To apply, please send the following documents in full to hugo(at)tdj.at by 1 November 2026 at the latest:

• Excerpts from one to three texts
  Maximum 15 pages (drama, prose and other text forms are acceptable). Please submit as a PDF without the author’s name. The excerpts should demonstrate how the author develops characters, dialogue and situations.
• Full-length texts or plays from the writing samples
• Curriculum vitae
• Completed application form

The four scholarship recipients will be announced around mid-December 2026.

Details of the call for applications and forms can be found at tdj.at/hugo-der-kinderstueckpreis