Silver Spring Stage, a long-standing community theatre located in the Woodmoor/Four Corners area of Silver Spring, MD, is seeking proposals from directors to complete our 2027-28 season.
We are currently looking to fill five slots in the fall of 2027 and spring of 2028, as well as the first play of our 61st season (fall 2028).
WHAT TYPE OF PLAYS?
We are prioritizing proposals that feature larger casts and provide more opportunities for theater-makers to participate. We encourage plays with strong name recognition (i.e., well-known titles and/or authors). We welcome shows that feature underrepresented views and allow for diversity in casting and behind-the-scenes participation.
For this season, we especially welcome re-imagined versions of classics in the public domain (published before 1931). Note that newer adaptations of those works might not be in the public domain.
Deadline for Proposal: October 15, 2026
CLICK TO SUBMIT YOUR PROPOSAL HERE
HOW MANYS PLAY CAN I SUBMIT?
We are limiting submissions to one proposal per director. If you submit more than one, we will only consider the first. If you are interested in a second proposal, let us know the title of the second show, and we may be in touch for you to submit a second full proposal, depending on the nature of your show and how many other submissions we have received.
We are limiting the pool to 60 plays, so please submit in advance of the deadline to ensure consideration.
WHAT ABOUT SHOWS PRODUCED AT THE STAGE BEFORE?
Yes, as long as it has not been produced in the last 10 years. See for our production history.
MUSICALS AND HOLIDAY SHOW
We are not accepting proposals for musicals for Season 60, although we hope to consider musicals in Season 61 and beyond as we financially plan for the future. Because we are also choosing the first show of season 61, there is a small possibility of selecting a musical there.
The Holiday/Christmas shows are selected by the Board, independent of this process. If you would like to be considered for directing a Christmas show, please send a brief statement of interest to prc@ssstage.org, but you do not have to fill out a full application.
NEW DIRECTORS
Yes! We welcome folks who have not directed at the Stage before and directors with limited experience.
But depending on your experience level, we may ask you to consider an assistant director with experience at the Stage.
If you are new to the Stage see the “Getting to Know The Stage” below.
WHAT ABOUT CONTEMPORARY PLAYS?
Many of our seasons feature non-contemporary shows, and we encourage them again this year. All ranges of plays are welcome, from the ancients through the Elizabethan era to modern 20th-century classics. In fact, this season we particularly welcome plays in the public domain (published before 1931). Note that newer adaptations of those works might not be in the public domain.
NEW AND UNPUBLISHED PLAYS?
Not for Season 60, although we hope to consider new plays in Season 61 and beyond as we financially plan for the future. Because we are also choosing the first show of season 61, there is a small possibility of selecting a premiere there.
QUESTIONS ?
EMAIL US PRC@SSSTAGE.ORG
DIRECTOR PROPOSAL PROCESS
PART 1: Application due October 15, 2026. This includes two parts: an email package and a Google form.
Email Package:
Submit a one-paragraph letter of introduction including the title of the play you would like to direct. Even if you’ve directed here before, our Play Selection Committee and Board of Directors includes new members, some of whom may not know you, personally or professionally.
Submit a resume featuring your work as a theatrical director.
Provide contact information (phone and email) for two (2) to three (3) references. Ideally, these should be people who have worked with you as a director and can speak to your collaboration style, theatrical skill sets, reliability, and insight.
Send a copy of the script, preferably in pdf form.
Your letter of introduction, resume, references, and script should be sent by email to: prc@ssstage.org and helen.chengmao@ssstage.org.
Google Form:
Carefully consider the “Questions For Directors” (see below).
Use this link to answer the questions via a Google Form.
If the play and your proposal are a good fit for the Stage, we will invite you for an interview.
PART 2:
Interviews (December 2026 – January 2027)
Interviews will be held by invitation only. Silver Spring Stage hopes to let all applicants know by November 30 if we wish to schedule an interview. All interviews will be held virtually with members of the Play Reading Committee (PRC).
Final Selection:
Based on the combination of script, answers to director questions, and interview, Silver Spring Stage may choose to recommend you to fill the role of director. We will try to let directors know, as we move along, the status of their proposals. Please review the next section, “Get To Know Silver Spring Stage” and find the “Questions for the Directors” below.
GET TO KNOW SILVER SPRING STAGE
We are a true all-volunteer community theatre. Actors, designers, directors, producers, board members, carpenters, painters, graphic designers, and others donate their time, talent, and energy. While we do not pay anyone involved in our productions, we do have a modest production budget to help cover materials and supplies, and have recently included a $300 director stipend for each of our productions.
We have a unique space all our own. Our theatre spaces reside in the basement level of the Woodmoor shopping center. We have our own rehearsal rooms, conference room, and shop/storage on site. All interviews, meetings, auditions, rehearsals, and performances will take place either in our space or via our Zoom account (virtual meetings and rehearsals are an option if needed). Our stage offers black box-style intimacy with seating on two sides. The playing area is set on point like a diamond. (If you think of it as a baseball diamond, the audience sits along the baselines that run to home base. The backstage area follows the lines from first base to second to third base.) Our backstage area is generous but our floor-to-ceiling height is limited by the architecture of the building. We don’t use microphones.
All shows must hold open auditions – we don’t “pre-cast” roles. That said, directors are responsible for casting their own shows. If you know someone you want for a role, invite them to audition and cast them if you wish. We ask directors to keep an open mind.
QUESTIONS FOR DIRECTORS (fill out via Google form here.)
Your Name:
Title of Play:
The Script
What’s in this text? Let us know why you are interested in directing this play at Silver Spring Stage (i.e., theme or big idea, not plot summary).
Production challenges
What are the major production challenges the Stage would face producing this play in our space
How will you, as director, overcome or mitigate these potential issues in production?
Practical and Artistic Concerns
Who else might be joining you on this production, and in what capacity? We recognize you may not want to make promises to other artists too far in advance, but we ask directors to assist in recruiting production staff. Please to consider who else is interested in working with you on your play. Please identify any individuals likely to join your production team (designers, stage managers, carpenters, dialect coaches, choreographers, etc.). Strong commitments from collaborators are encouraged.
In which production areas will you need the most help recruiting talent? The Stage will pair directors with producers to help assemble final teams. This answer will help the Stage plan the most effective use of our resources.
Will you have special needs or demands of the cast and/or crew beyond those immediately apparent in the script?
Additional Thoughts
What, if any, commitments affect your availability to direct this play? If you have known or likely conflicts that would impact your engagement with this project, please let us know!
Anything else you’d like us to know about you not covered elsewhere in this list or in your letter/bio/resume?
Thank you for addressing these questions!
Please submit completed questions along with the rest of your proposal package to prc@ssstage.org by October 15, 2026.