The 2026 VOX NOVA Finalists
A HEARTFELT THANK YOU to every playwright who submitted to the 2026 VOX NOVA Playwright Festival!
We are incredibly grateful to each writer who shared their work with us this year. The passion, imagination, and vulnerability it takes to put a new play into the world is never lost on us, and we are honored that so many playwrights chose to entrust VOX NOVA with their stories.
We also extend our deepest appreciation to our extraordinary team of readers and evaluators, whose time, thoughtful consideration, and commitment to a fair process made this year’s festival possible. Every script was approached with the care and respect it deserved.
And now, after months of reading, discussion, and deliberation, the moment has arrived. It is our great pleasure to announce the three finalists for the 2026 VOX NOVA Playwright Festival!
We are incredibly grateful to each writer who shared their work with us this year. The passion, imagination, and vulnerability it takes to put a new play into the world is never lost on us, and we are honored that so many playwrights chose to entrust VOX NOVA with their stories.
We also extend our deepest appreciation to our extraordinary team of readers and evaluators, whose time, thoughtful consideration, and commitment to a fair process made this year’s festival possible. Every script was approached with the care and respect it deserved.
And now, after months of reading, discussion, and deliberation, the moment has arrived. It is our great pleasure to announce the three finalists for the 2026 VOX NOVA Playwright Festival!
First Place:
“Analysis Paralysis” by James Kelsey Nelson
(Receives $400 and a fully produced live stage production by Theatricus)
Second Place:
“An Empty Room” by Katelin Wilcox
(Receives $200 and a live staged reading)
Third Place:
“Miracle Lake” by Susan Lily Jackson
(Receives $100 and a live staged reading)
“Analysis Paralysis” by James Kelsey Nelson
(Receives $400 and a fully produced live stage production by Theatricus)
Second Place:
“An Empty Room” by Katelin Wilcox
(Receives $200 and a live staged reading)
Third Place:
“Miracle Lake” by Susan Lily Jackson
(Receives $100 and a live staged reading)
New voices. Bold stories.
“VOX NOVA,” meaning “new voice” in Latin, embodies Theatricus’ commitment to spotlight emerging voices in theatre and provide a platform for innovative storytelling. Artistic Director James Castle Stevens shares, “When we launched VOX NOVA, we weren’t just looking for good plays... we were searching for voices that make us stop, listen, and feel something we didn’t expect. This festival has proven that bold, honest storytelling is alive and thriving, and it’s our privilege at Theatricus to help bring these voices into the light.”
“VOX NOVA,” meaning “new voice” in Latin, embodies Theatricus’ commitment to spotlight emerging voices in theatre and provide a platform for innovative storytelling. Artistic Director James Castle Stevens shares, “When we launched VOX NOVA, we weren’t just looking for good plays... we were searching for voices that make us stop, listen, and feel something we didn’t expect. This festival has proven that bold, honest storytelling is alive and thriving, and it’s our privilege at Theatricus to help bring these voices into the light.”
