Yesterday, the Municipality of Athens and the Karolos Koun Art Theatre unveiled the first edition of “Small New Dionysia” as part of the new Athens World Theatre Capital program. The initiative backs contemporary Greek playwriting and helps creators connect, with an open call from 3 October to 9 November 2025 and events in Athens on 15-18 December 2025.
What does the program include?
“Small New Dionysia” comes in four parts, each built to spotlight new Greek texts and link authors with institutions and audiences:
- Competition: An open call (3 Oct-9 Nov) selects six works in total: three finalists and three runners-up. The three finalists receive staged readings by collaborators of the Karolos Koun Art Theatre and students of its drama school, before a public audience and a five-member jury that awards First, Second and Third Prizes.
- Pitches: Short, targeted presentations before artistic directors, producers and institutions, aimed at securing collaborations and funding. A separate open call for pitches opens on 15 October (details to follow).
- Masterclasses & panels: Open sessions led by leading Greek artists on ancient drama and myths as inspiration for contemporary dramaturgy, alongside meetings and roundtables on writing and production in Greece and internationally.
- Feedback Lab: A January to March workshop offering mentoring by jury members and invited experts, helping dramaturgical development and preparation for the next presentation stage.
Who can submit?
Eligible works are Greek-language plays that have not been presented as full productions (readings or radio/stage readings are permitted). The play must be in Greek regardless of the author’s nationality or place of residence.
What do winners receive?
The First Prize gets automatic entry into the international competition of the “Great New Dionysia” scheduled for spring 2026. All six distinguished works enter the three-month Feedback Lab and will be presented within the Greek Focus of the Great New Dionysia.
How and when can playwrights apply?
Submissions are accepted from Friday 3 October to Sunday 9 November 2025 by email at [email protected] with the subject line “Μικρά Νέα Διονύσια-Διαγωνιστικό”. Send: (a) the full Greek text in PDF; (b) a Word file with title, date of writing, number of roles and any prior public readings; (c) a synopsis of up to 300 words; (d) a short author bio with contact details (email, phone, links).
What about pitches?
The pitches open call starts on 15 October. Further details will be announced in a separate release. Submitting to the competition does not prevent submitting the same work to the pitches section.
Why does this matter for the city?
The program strengthens Athens’ theatre ecosystem by spotlighting new voices, creating a safeguarded space for feedback, and linking creators with institutions, production and audiences. Its guiding theme, drawn from Aeschylus’ Eumenides, “Φως να ορμήσει”, frames the 2025-26 season of the Karolos Koun Art Theatre.
Where to find more information?
Only shortlisted authors will be notified; results will be published online. By submitting, creators confirm they hold the rights for a public reading and agree to continue development in the Feedback Lab. The announcement does not specify exact venues for December; details are expected closer to the dates.
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