Interested in joining the conversation about Jewish life on campus? Do you want to join the effort to SOLVE difficult issues through community discussion and the artistic expression? Get involved in Jewish Plays Project’s newest program: jQUAD!

We’re looking for students across New York City of all faiths and disciplines to join the conversation about life on college campuses through the development of new short plays.

What is jQUAD?

jQUAD builds bespoke playwriting contests and performances, each built on classic religious texts and focused around issues of importance to students. Each contest is multifaith in spirit and inclusive of all campus and community members, and uses the JPP’s signature Artistic Democracy process to solicit, discuss, competitively select and perform playscripts by intergenerational writers that reflect contemporary issues that make us all laugh, cry, think and kvell.

What does jQUAD provide?

For theater students

  • Artistic opportunities
  • Direct mentorship from theatre professionals
  • Original work for your portfolio

For students of other disciplines

  • The chance to build connections with students from different schools, communities, and other like-minded people
  • The opportunity to be the “BIG producer” and decide what gets made in this program

Who is jQUAD for?

  • Jewish students looking to explore their identity through theatre
  • Students of all faiths who might be inspired by Jewish ideas and values
  • Students who want to make more theatre

    FAQs

    When is jQUAD happening?

    September – Recruiting student ambassadors, and general participants

    October – Discussion about the contest’s prompt begins on each campus

    November – The prompt is finalized and a call for submissions is distributed

    December – Recruitment of performers, designers, and directors begins while readers begin assesing scripts

    January – Submissions close

    February – Plays are selected

    March – Rehearsal and prep for the final presentation

    April 3-4 – Final presentation at PACE University!

    Where is it happening?
    The early stages of the process will be on any of the participating campuses. Once we reach the production stage, we’ll be at PACE University.
    What is the time commitment?

    There are various degrees of participation and roles for students to take on. We understand how busy students are so we encourage you to devout as much time as you’d like to jQUAD. 

    Student ambassadors will have the greatest time commitment as they work to help produce the festival.

    Prompt designers will be needed for one or two 90 minute meetings as potential contest prompts are discussed.

    Readers will be sent scripts to read with loose deadlines to work through submissions.

    Can I write a play for jQUAD?

    Please do! Anyone is welcome to send us a script once our submissions open.

    What if I'm not a writer, but want to participate as an artist or an audience member?

    For artists of other disciplines, sign up using the Get Involved button below! The form has space to describe the work you would like to contribute.

    For audience members, come on down to see the final presentation in April at PACE University!

    Is this a paid opportunity?
    It depends! Student Ambassadors will be paid for their work throughout the process. Readers will be paid per script.
    Is it only for PACE students?
    NO! jQUAD enthusiastically invites all students from anywhere in New York City or Westchester.
    Will jQUAD talk about Israel/Palestine?
    jQUAD is open to the full range of Jewish conversations, and the situation in the Middle East is a part of that, for sure. What we know is that polemic – of any political stripe – makes for bad theater.
    We are here to respectfully and kindly ask big questions across a range of issues, with no desire to censor and no space for vitriol. 
    The JPP has developed a set of Community Agreements that guide what we expect from any conversation, and these apply doubly to the very challenging topics of Israel, Gaza, Palestine and more.
    Get involved!