Oswego Players Announces 2026 Don McCann Memorial Playwriting Contest

The annual competition seeks original one-act plays from New York state writers.

Mar. 10, 2026 at 2:35pm

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The Oswego Players theater group is accepting submissions for the 2026 Donald J. McCann Memorial One-Act Playwriting Contest. The contest is open to all New York state residents and the winning plays will be performed at the Frances Marion Brown Theatre. The contest is named after longtime Oswego Players member Don McCann, who was known for directing thought-provoking plays and writing his own one-act pieces.

Why it matters

The Oswego Players have hosted this playwriting contest for over a decade, providing a platform for emerging writers to have their work performed. It honors the legacy of Don McCann, a pillar of the local theater community who was passionate about nurturing new playwrights and directing impactful productions.

The details

The contest is open to the first 100 submissions received by May 1, 2026. Playwrights can submit their original one-act plays electronically or by mail. The 2025 contest received a record number of over 150 submissions, with the four winning plays being performed at the 2026 Showcase. The 2026 contest will feature new works in a variety of genres, continuing the Oswego Players' tradition of presenting thought-provoking and message-centered productions.

  • The 2026 Donald J. McCann Memorial One-Act Playwriting Contest is open for submissions until May 1, 2026.
  • The 2026 Showcase featuring the winning plays will take place later in 2026.

The players

The Oswego Players

A community theater group based in Oswego, New York that has been producing plays and musicals since the 1930s.

Don McCann

A longtime member of the Oswego Players who was known for directing thought-provoking plays and writing his own one-act pieces. He served several terms as President and Historian for the theater group.

Norman Berlin III

The coordinator of the Donald J. McCann Memorial One-Act Playwriting Contest.

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What they’re saying

“Anyone who has ever had the slightest interest in writing a play is strongly encouraged to enter this year's playwriting contest!”

— Norman Berlin III, Playwriting Contest Coordinator

What’s next

The deadline for submissions to the 2026 Donald J. McCann Memorial One-Act Playwriting Contest is May 1, 2026. The winning plays will be performed later in 2026 as part of the Oswego Players' annual Showcase.

The takeaway

The Oswego Players' longstanding playwriting contest provides an important platform for emerging writers in New York state to have their work performed on stage. It honors the legacy of Don McCann, a beloved figure in the local theater community who championed new voices and thought-provoking productions.