The Theater Project presents THINK FAST 2026

Published by New Jersey Stage

originally published: 02/10/2026

The Theater Project presents THINK FAST - A virtual short play competition from February 27 to March 1, 2026. At this competition, 7 to 10 short plays are selected for 3 pre-recorded broadcast performances. The goal is to give emerging writers in NJ and beyond the chance to showcase their work.

After each broadcast, the audience will vote for their favorite play. They can meet authors at live virtual meet-and-greets after each show.

At the final meet-and-greet after the Sunday performance, judges will award Best Play, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director, and Audience Favorite (Play) certificates.

The $500 Grand Prize is given to the playwright selected by the judges at the final performance.

“The goal of the festival is to give audiences the chance to enjoy new work,” said Mark Spina, artistic director of The Theater Project. “It also provides playwrights, actors and directors an opportunity to meet colleagues beyond their local theater community. Throughout the years, THINK FAST has showcased the impressive range and imagination of playwrights who offer everything from comedy to drama to experimental theater.”

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This year's finalists include:

Ramifications by Alex Bernstein. Looking for romantic advice, a lonely man consults an online predictive-analytics service...and gets a little more honesty than he bargained for.

On the Likelihood of Elephants by Brian S. Brijbag, Esq. A conversation about probability, faith, the stories we tell ourselves to survive waiting, and the tension between what can be proven and what we desperately hope might still be true.

Never Buy a Used Cat by Robert Diamante. When a ragged old cat insists on exploring the underworld of Eric’s house, a maddening truth is revealed.

Harry Potter and the Superfans' Dream Vacation by Teddy Durgin. Three “Harry Potter” fans prepare to visit the filming locations of the original movies. But one of the trio has much more ambitious ideas for their trip.

Time Table by Jeff Perlman. When a young couple is seated with strangers at a mystical restaurant, they discover they're actually talking to their future selves.

Not to Take Latin Composition by Glen Sharpe. A visit to a nursing home at the holidays: we don't always understand what we say or why we say it.

Far From the Tree by Michael Towers. A school admin mediates a parent/teacher conference after a student makes a series of explicit threats against her teacher. If the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, can it be saved?

Confessional by Chris Zaczek. A Catholic priest gets more than he bargained for when a frequent visitor unburdens herself.... in some most unexpected ways.

Founded in 1994 and based in Union, The Theater Project introduces New Jersey audiences to new plays and supports rising playwrights and theater artists. It develops new audiences for theater by service to the community, providing programs for children and seniors, and using theater as a forum to address current issues.

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