Aguijón Theater Company of Chicago, faithful to its mission of promoting Spanish-language theater in the United States and supporting contemporary playwriting, announces the seventh edition of the Aguijón Theater International Playwriting Competition (formerly the Chicago International Hispanic Playwriting Competition).
In collaboration with the Instituto Cervantes de Chicago and the Museo Nacional de Arte Mexicano, this biennial competition seeks to foster dialogue among playwrights and theater creators exploring new stage voices and responding to the social realities of our time.
GUIDELINES
Eligibility
Open to all playwrights who write and dream in Spanish, whether or not they reside in the United States.
Work Requirements
Originality
Submitted works must not have been published, performed, or made public through any medium, nor have received awards in previous competitions prior to the jury’s decision.
Submission Process
Submission email: dramaturgia@aguijontheater.org
The Play
Author Information
In a separate PDF (included in the same email), named with the pseudonym and title (e.g., YoSoyAquel_Lavidaessueno), include:
Deadline and Jury
Submissions are open from the date of this call and close on June 15, 2026.
Between July and December 2026, a jury appointed by the organizing institutions will evaluate submissions and announce the results on December 30, 2026.
Prizes
First Prize: $2,000 USD. Staged reading by the Aguijón Theater ensemble at the Instituto Cervantes of Chicago on March 27, 2027 (World Theatre Day). Full production by Aguijón Theater during the 2027–2028 season (exact dates to be announced)
Second Prize / Honorable Mention:
$1,000 USD
Staged reading by the Aguijón Theater ensemble at its venue during the 2026–2027 season (date to be announced)
Ineligibility
Members of the organizing institutions are not eligible to participate.
Acceptance of Terms
Participation in the competition implies full acceptance of these guidelines.