Northern Michigan University's Forest Roberts Theatre and Playhouse on the Square in Memphis, Tenn., have launched a new partnership that unites their two esteemed playwriting competitions into one “dynamic opportunity” for playwrights nationwide. The collaboration expands their commitment to fostering new voices and bringing original works to life on multiple stages. Marquette native and 1985 NMU alumnus Michael Detroit serves as executive producer at Playhouse on the Square, a professional resident theater company.
Playwrights will submit their works through Playhouse on the Square's website. The submission deadline for the 2025 competition is June 30. Six finalists will be chosen for staged readings in Memphis. From these, two plays will be selected for full productions by Playhouse on the Square on its third stage, TheatreWorks@TheSquare, marking their world premieres. Following these productions, NMU's Forest Roberts Theatre will select one of the two winners to be fully produced on their stage, offering the playwright an extended development journey and the unique opportunity to see their work performed for new audiences in two distinct areas of the country.
“This collaboration represents everything we value at Northern Michigan University's Department of Theatre and Dance—bold storytelling, artistic risk-taking, and a deep commitment to fostering new voices,” said Department Head Bill Digneit. “By joining forces with Playhouse on the Square, we are expanding the reach and impact of our long-standing playwriting tradition, offering playwrights a rare and powerful opportunity to develop their work with professional support and see it brought to life on multiple stages. We're proud to help shape the future of American theater, one premiere at a time.”
Since 2013, Playhouse on the Square's NewWorks@TheWorks Playwriting Competition has been a cornerstone of its commitment to innovative theatre, receiving record-breaking submissions from around the world. Similarly, NMU's Mildred and Albert Panowski Playwriting Competition, established in 1977, has provided professional and educational playwrights the chance to see their work fully realized on stage. Through this new collaboration, the two entities are merging their rich histories of supporting emerging artists and amplifying new voices.
Each submission will be carefully reviewed by a panel of industry professionals, including the director of New Works at Playhouse on the Square, Resident Company members, and distinguished writers and directors, as well as NMU students, faculty and interested parties appointed by NMU Theatre and Dance. The selected playwrights will receive prize money, invaluable insight through staged readings, audience feedback, and professional adjudication as their work progresses from page to production.
“By combining our strengths, we are creating a one-of-a-kind pipeline for developing and premiering new works, offering playwrights an unprecedented opportunity to see their stories come to life in multiple venues,” stated a Playhouse on the Square press release.
Detroit earned a Bachelor of Music Education (BME) degree from NMU and an MFA in musical theater from San Diego State University. According to his bio, he has nearly 100 professional stage credits and has appeared in nine films, including “The People vs. Larry Flynt” and, most recently, Hallmark's “Christmas at Graceland: Home for the Holidays.” He joined Playhouse on the Square in 1989 as a Resident Company Member, and has served as executive producer since 2018.
Detroit was honored by NMU Theatre and Dance during its inaugural alumni awards celebration in October 2023 with an Outstanding Alumni-Hall of Fame award for his sustained and significant career in the entertainment arts industry.