Prompt: Noir themes
Criteria: one set, no more than three characters, 15 minutes
Submissions: Please submit one play per playwright to info@upstagenapavalley.org with the subject line: PlayFest 2026 Submission - (Your Last Name)
Why does Noir work for a short play?
1. Tight structure: Noir thrives on suspense and a quick buildup to a twist or moral reckoning — perfect for 15 minutes.
2. Strong atmosphere: You can create a mood quickly with lighting, music, and stylized dialogue rather than needing big sets or long exposition.
3. Small cast: Most noir stories center on 2–3 characters —— which keeps production simple.
4. Emotional intensity: Noir’s focus on desperation, secrets, and betrayal gives actors a lot to work with in a short time.
5. Stylization: You can lean into noir tropes (voiceovers, shadows, cigarette smoke, hardboiled one-liners) in a self-aware or modernized way.
