I’ve submitted my play. When should I expect to hear back from you?
Given the number of submissions we receive, it’s hard to get back to everyone. If we are interested in featuring your play at an upcoming salon, you will most likely be contacted within 3 months of your initial submission.
What exactly is a salon reading? How is it different from a staged reading?
A salon reading is an informal reading in a Nora’s supporter’s home. We provide wine and the host may provide light snacks. The salon typically takes place on a Monday or Friday evening. The reading of the play is always followed by a talkback. It is very casual given the home setting and designed to require little to no rehearsal. The actors receive the script to review at least one week prior to the reading and there is no director. (If a rehearsal is desired, given that the actors are volunteering their time, we would ask that it is scheduled at an agreed upon time that is convenient to everyone and that there is no more than one rehearsal.)
Why do you only accept submissions from playwrights in the NYC metro area (The Nora Salon) or in the Southeast US (Salon South)?
Since we feel it is essential that the playwright be present in-person at the salon featuring her piece, we specifically ask for submissions from local playwrights. (Occasionally, Salon South may feature plays that have had a previous salon reading in NYC.)
I am not a woman but my play has great roles for women. Can I still submit my script?
While we love reading all new work, since we are a female driven company, we are only actively seeking scripts written by women.
I’m not really interested in doing any sort of talkback. If my play is selected, can we just skip that part?
Because the mission of the salon is to help writers in their process and aid them in moving forward with their piece, we do ask that a brief talkback take place. Nora’s utilizes the Liz Lerman method for these talkbacks, a method for giving and receiving feedback that is designed to leave the writer eager to get back to work. A member of our artistic team will lead the talkback and you as the writer will have the opportunity to ask questions of the audience and actors first and then choose whether you’d like to respond to questions from the audience.
Do you really accept pieces of any length? I’ve got a great play that should run about three and a half hours that I would like to send you!
Most pieces we select tend to be 30-85 minutes in duration. If a selection is longer, we will work with the writer to select an excerpt that is appropriate for the salon. If the selection is very brief, it may be paired with another short piece or two.
My play is production-ready. Can I submit it to you for consideration for a full Nora’s Playhouse production instead of a salon reading?
While it is not out of the question for us to consider submissions for full productions in the future, that is not the goal of The Nora Salon.
My play has already had a production but I still really want Nora’s to consider it for a salon reading. Can I submit it to you?
The Nora Salon only considers pieces that have not yet had production. However, if you have made significant rewrites to your previously produced script, you may submit it for consideration for a salon. Please make sure you mention the production and talk us through your rewrites in your cover letter.
Answers to a few other FAQs
If the playwright cannot provide copies of the scripts to the actors and the actors are not able to print their own copy of the script (or use a tablet, laptop, etc.), Nora’s can supply scripts for actors.
We have found that directors are not required for these informal salon readings. The writer and cast will receive an email with details prior to the reading. The writer is welcome to provide some direction to the cast at that time and the actors may wish to ask the playwright some clarifying questions.
Casting preferences are discussed with an artistic associate and the writer prior to the salon. If a playwright has actors she would like to use and they are available, we always like meeting new people! And Nora’s has a wonderful group of supporters, among them many talented actors who we often cast in our readings. We have even, with the permission of the playwright, cast some smaller roles in plays with larger casts from the members of audience to be read cold.