FemmeFest 2027 - A Festival of Femme-Led Theatre // 3/18 - 3/21
Applications extended through 10/12
Formerly known as DivaFest, FemmeFest will bring 3-4 unique projects to the stage. Selected by committee from dozens of applications, these incredible emerging theatre leaders will present a repertoire of "dream projects" spanning an electrifying range of genres.
FemmeFest
Nationally, only 30% of all produced plays are written by women, and only 1.3% by trans or non binary authors. In 2025 a number of notable professional theatres throughout the country announced seasons without a single woman writer or director represented. The most recent study from the Geena Davis Institute for Gender in Media revealed that women made up only 31% of all speaking roles in film, television, and theatre, and trans or nonbinary characters represented less than 1% of all available speaking roles… This is where FemmeFest comes in.
IF Theatre and Betty Rage Productions are partnering up to present a festival of 4, 45-60-minute theatrical works led by women theatre makers and creating a rich variety of arts experiences for women.
What We're Looking For:
Proposals for 10-minute plays OR 45 to 60-minute theatrical projects that feature women.
- A new one act or 10-minute play you’re writing that features great roles for women.
- An idea for a devised piece you want to make with an ensemble of women.
- A published work like Single Black Female or The Odd Couple (Female Version) that you’d like to direct, produce, or even just see in the community!
- A theatrical piece with a great role you’d love the opportunity to play!
- A 10-minute play (published or original) to be presented as part of an evening of short plays directed by emerging women leaders.
Let us know what your theatrical dreams are as we work to create opportunities for you to receive mentorship & experience on the path to making those dreams a reality.
What We Offer
Betty Rage Productions in partnership with IF Theatre will select 3-4 theatrical projects that will receive:
- 3-4 complimentary performances between March 18-21, 2027 as part of FemmeFest.
- A technician provided by IF Theatre. (for lights and sound)
- Limited FREE Rehearsal space leading up to the event.
- Up to $1000 grant from IF Theatre to help produce your dream project.
- Hands-on guidance, support, & networking from IF Theatre and Betty Rage Productions.
- Possibility of fee-free offer to participate in the 2027 IndyFringe Festival in August.
Who Should Apply?
Any woman with an interest in making new theatrical opportunities for women in Indianapolis. And when we say women, we mean all women. It is important to us that our proposal pool includes projects by & featuring cisgender women, BIPOC women, trans women, young women, AFAB nonbinary folx, women 60+, and is open to anyone who has moved through the world as a woman or femme individual.
Applicants must be residents of Central Indiana.
Timeline
- Proposals Due: Monday, October 12 – 11:59pm
- Interview Period for select applicants: October 13 – 23
- Final Notification – On or before October 26
- Participant Orientation: November 16 – 6:00PM
- Rehearsal Period – Must take place between February 1 – March 18
- Tech/Dress Rehearsals – March 13-17
- FemmeFest – March 18-21
Please note: Use of any grant funds disbursed by IF Theatre is subject to approval by IF Theatre & Betty Rage Productions. Participating artists will receive hands-on instruction in budgeting and production planning to ensure that funds are used wisely, fairly, & sustainably. Participating artists are welcome to fundraise for additional production needs and will retain full agency over any additional investment into their production.
FemmeFest Schedule:
- 6:30PM – TBD
- 8:00PM – TBD
- 6:30PM – TBD
- 8:00PM – TBD
- 2:30PM – TBD
- 4:00PM – TBD
- 5:30PM – TBD
- 7:00PM – TBD
- 2:30PM – TBD
- 4:00PM – TBD
- 5:30PM – TBD
- 7:00PM – TBD
Reserve Your Tickets
Ticket Info:
All tickets are general admission.
$15 for a single ticket
OR
$50 to see all the shows with the Femme50 Pass!
Who Should Apply:
When we say women, we mean all women. It is important to us that our proposal pool includes projects by & featuring a variety of cisgender women, BIPOC women, trans women, young women, AFAB nonbinary folx, women 60+, etc. and is open to anyone who has moved through the world as a woman or femme individual.
Applicants must be residents of Central Indiana
What We're Looking For:
Proposals for 10 to 60-minute theatrical projects that feature women. You might propose:
- A new play you’re writing that features great roles for women.
- An idea for a devised piece you want to make with an ensemble of women.
- A published work that you’d like to direct, produce, or even just see in the community!
- A theatrical piece with a great role you’d love the opportunity to play!
Let us know what your theatrical dreams are as we work to create opportunities for you to receive mentorship & experience on the path to making those dreams a reality.
What We Offer:
Betty Rage Productions in partnership with IF Theatre will select 3-8 theatrical projects that will receive:
- 3 complimentary performances between March 26-29, 2026 as part of FemmeFest 2026.
- A technician provided by IF Theatre.
- Limited FREE Rehearsal space leading up to the event.
- Up to $1000 in funding from IF Theatre to help produce your dream project.
- Hands-on guidance, support, & networking from IF Theatre and Betty Rage Productions
Timeline
- Proposals Due: Monday, December 8 – 11:59pm
- Interview Period for select applicants: Wednesday, December 10 – Friday, December 19
- Final Notification – On or before December 30.
- Production teams finalized/talent acquired – On or before January 30
- Rehearsal Period – Must take place between February 1 – March 20
- Tech/Dress Rehearsals – March 21 – 25
- FemmeFest – March 26-29
Please note: Use of any grant funds disbursed by IF Theatre is subject to approval by IF Theatre & Betty Rage Productions. Participating artists will receive hands-on instruction in budgeting and production planning to ensure that funds are used wisely, fairly, & sustainably. Participating artists are welcome to fundraise for additional production needs and will retain full agency over any additional investment into their production.
