SoftLaunch 2026 Applications open

SoftLaunch is a performance festival that seeks bold experimentation, innovation, and complete reinvention of what theatre can be. (Think installation art, immersive performance, shows for intimate audiences, and way beyond all that—it can be as far out as your imagination will take you!) 

This weekend-long festival takes place January 15, 16 and 17, 2026 at 7pm. Audience members receive a pass and can wander as they wish to see (and be a part of) various performance experiments. We are seeking work that ranges from workshop to fully produced. Pieces or experiences outside the theatrical play format, not plays, or at least, not the way we are used to thinking about plays. We are only interested in projects that do not fit typical theatre form, not pieces in a normal theatre setting, even if that piece is radical.  

For example:

Sleep No More? YES
Recent Sankai Juku performance? NO
Last season’s SoftLaunch

*SoftLaunch is open to out-of-state applicants. However, there is no additional financial support for out-of-state artists. If you are traveling, please plan to cover your own travel and take care of all accommodations yourself (housing, per diem, etc.).

CPT provides the following SoftLaunch benefits:  

• CPT will provide a rehearsal space, which may or may not be the space where your performance will officially take place. Depending on availability.  

• Four hours of assistance from a technical team member. 

• Access to CPT lights, sound, costumes, props and sets as available (artist must formally request). 

• Front-of-house and box office support. 

• Direct-mail piece advertising the series.

• Program/schedule for the event.

• A $500 to $1200 project fee determined by scale/scope and level of completion. 

The value of CPT’s investment in each individual project is over $3,500 – 7,500.

Lead Artists will:  

• Be present on site at all showings of their work (even if they are not performing). 

• Attend four meetings: Saturdays, 10am – noon, on 11/15, 12/6, 12/13 and 1/3.

• Attend technical and dress rehearsal the weekend prior to show, Jan 9 – 11.

• Own all their artistic content, or the artist must have authority to use material (in case of adaptation or inclusion of other content). 

• Contract their own creative teams. including performers, designers, technicians, etc. 

There are two ways artists can get involved in SoftLaunch:  

1. Apply through the SoftLaunch 26 Google Form. 
2. To perform in SoftLaunch, if you are not already connected to a project, let CPT know you are interested. We will share that interest with the creators of work for SoftLaunch. Send an email with resume and headshot to artistic@cptonline.org with the subject line: “Performer for SoftLaunch.” 

SoftLaunch applications are due no later than October 27, 2025.