Summer Shorts: America's Short Play Festival
Since 1996, Summer Shorts has been City Theatre's signature annual festival: a June lineup
of ten-minute plays by nationally recognized and Miami-based playwrights, performed by
an ensemble cast. It's one of the longest-running short-play festivals in the country.
The 30th Anniversary Festival
Our 30th year brought new short plays together with original live music,
honoring co-founders Susan J. Westfall and Alan H. Fein.
Defunded Not Defeated
In 2025, in the face of significant cuts to public arts funding in Florida, City Theatre and our audience refused to cancel the festival. With humor, generosity, and grit, our Defunded Not Defeated campaign brought 20 short plays, two musical numbers, and a live band to the Sandrell Rivers Theater for the 29th annual Summer Shorts Hosted by Rhonda Sanchez and featuring Jannelys Santos and Peter Mir of Miami's Villain Theater.
Thank you to everyone who joined us. The campaign continues, because the work continues.
Pictured below: Jannelys Santos as Rhonda Sanchez. Photo credit: Morgan Sophia Photography.
About Summer Shorts
Each year, the festival features a curated lineup of new ten-minute plays selected from hundreds of submissions to our Susan J. Westfall National Short Playwriting Contest and from commissions to writers in our Homegrown Playwright Development Program
Past Festivals
Across 30 seasons, Summer Shorts has produced more than 380 plays by more than 300 playwrights, including world premieres by writers who have gone on to win the Pulitzer, the Tony, the Oscar, and the Humana. See the full list of City Theatre playwrights, 1996 to today.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Summer Shorts?
Summer Shorts is held annually in June.
What can I expect?
A new mix of short plays and music performed by an ensemble cast.
Are the plays family-friendly?
Summer Shorts is curated for adult audiences.
How can I submit a play to Summer Shorts?
Submissions are accepted through the Susan J. Westfall National Short Playwriting Contest. Learn more here.
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