Are you a playwright who has had some success with your work being performed regionally? Has your play won a contest or two?
Do you now want your play to be taken on as a production at larger theaters?
One of the following 16 top literary agents for playwrights might be able to help.
1. Judy Boals
Judy Boals is the founder of the titular Judy Boals, Inc., which she established 20 years ago. Prior to this, she honed her professional skills in managing writers for theater by working at the Lois Berman Agency. Today, Judy leads Boals, Winnett & Associates, an agency in New York City.
Since she’s been in the industry for more than three decades, Judy has worked with some of the finest names in playwriting. For one, she represented Dael Orlandersmith, a veteran writer who started with Beauty’s Daughter in 1995 and wrote the similarly acclaimed Yellowman in 2002. She also represented Lee Blessing, creator of A Walk in the Woods.
Playwrights can send online or physical copies of their stage plays for consideration. Likewise, you can inquire about the agency through her email.
2. Nicky Lund
At David Higham Associates in London, UK, Nicky Lund handles top roles spanning theater, movies, and television. In other words, she’s interested in immersive storytelling, emotional resonance, and complex character writing no matter the medium.
At present, Lola Olutola helps Nicky with her everyday duties at the company. Apart from film directors and screenwriters, she represents some of the best playwrights today. Femi Keeling, for example, wrote How to Die of a Broken Heart and I Am Not There while Alexi Kaye Campbell boasts well-reviewed plays like The Pride and The Faith Machine.
Nicky is open to unsolicited stage play submissions. However, you should already have completed your project — a synopsis or partial work won’t suffice. Simply head to the submission page for more details.
3. Rochelle Stevens
Theater has always been the main interest of Rochelle Stevens. After finishing her studies, she entered the National Theater and quickly caught the attention of Peter Stevens, the general administrator at the time. The two eventually married and Rochelle created her own literary agency in Islington, London, UK, in 1984.
Rochelle manages Andrew Alty, a writer known in film, TV, and theater. Before Asylum and The Road to Hell, he already garnered acclaim for his work The Leftover Heart. Another client is Stephen Greenhorn, the brilliant mind behind Sunshine on Leith and The Salt Wound.
Writers are more than welcome to send unsolicited stage plays. Your submission must have an updated CV, a synopsis, and the first several pages of your writing.
4. Alexandra Cory
Every aspiring writer in London, UK, knows about Berlin Associates. This renowned agency in London, UK, is where many literary professionals for the stage and screen alike found success — and it’s where you can find literary agent Alexandra Cory for playwright representation.
Alexandra is no stranger to handling multiple writers at once. Right now, her list includes Jon Barton, creator of Oedipus and the acclaimed Bush Meat. Likewise, Satinder Chohan is an insightful journalist and artist from Yale University who crafted both Made in India and Zameen.
If you want to be part of Alexandra’s client list, scroll down the homepage of Berlin Associates to see instructions on sending unsolicited projects.
5. Sophie Gorell Barnes
Sophie Gorell Barnes works at the London-based MBA Literary Agents, which focuses on ensuring that writers get the jumpstart they need in their chosen field. She treats everyone’s works equally and will accept playwrights into her list whether they’re veterans or seeking to be published for the first time.
Since her educational background significantly involves theater, Sophie naturally represents playwrights. One of her clients is Carolyn S. Jones, known for Tales from the Edge and the beloved Sanctuary. Sophie’s list also has Laurie Slade who wrote Rovers, Out of Africa, and The Specimen.
Interested writers can email Sophie about their stage plays. However, she’ll likely prioritize manuscripts of middle-grade fiction since that is what she’s actively seeking. Head to the submission guidelines page for more information.
6. Penelope Killick
Apart from Nicky Lund, David Higham Associates also has Penelope Killick. Located in London, UK, this agent gathered a ton of relevant experience in the publishing industry before she started building her own list at the company. Plus, her academic specialty is all about movies and contemporary literature.
Penelope fosters a highly cooperative relationship between herself and her clients. From Rachel Tookey (Judge Judy’s Buzz World and Bromley Bedlam Bethlehem) to Natasha Kaeda (Time Equals Zero and In My Lungs the Ocean Swells), her clients benefit a lot from her insistence on gripping and lasting storytelling.
Playwrights can email their submissions to Penelope. Provided that she’s interested in your work, she’ll likely ask for more samples within more or less six weeks.
7. Mildred Yuan
A decade ago, Mildred Yuan became one of the literary agents at United Agents in London, UK. Equipped with her degrees from two of the most prestigious academic institutions in the world, Harvard University and the University of Cambridge, this London-based professional knows how to negotiate the best deals for her clients.
Kristian Lever is one of the most illustrious individuals on Mildred’s list. Aside from writing plays such as Framework, Coping, and Greener Grass, he excels in choreography, direction, and production. Of course, Mari Izzard is no slouch either — she’s the talented stage performer who wrote Hela, Grand, and Under Milkwood.
If you’ve finalized your original stage play, go ahead and send it to Mildred along with your updated CV and cover letter.
8. Rachel Daniels
London is the home of Rachel Daniels, another outstanding agent at Berlin Associates. She’s incredibly passionate about playwriting and is always on the lookout for fresh voices in the industry. Furthermore, Rachel can help writers manage their projects and possible transitions to moviemaking and TV shows.
Right now, Rachel’s impressive list features both new and veteran artists. Clare Bayley’s The Enchantment and On the March were held at the National Theater and Oxford Playhouse, respectively. Another writer she represents is Callum Crouch, the man behind Rain, The Third, and Passing.
Rachel accepts unsolicited submissions. Specifically, she hopes that playwrights from groups that deserve more representation will send their works. Look for the “Enquiries” section on the bottom section of the agency’s homepage to know more.
9. Caroline de Wolfe
If you’ve heard about the long-running indie agency Felix de Wolfe, you probably already know about Caroline de Wolfe. She’s the daughter of the late founder and first stepped into the family business 36 years ago. Today, she heads the London-based company and paves the way for its bright future without forgoing its long long-held principles.
Caroline represents Charles Leipart. He’s a crucial part of The Dramatist’s Guild and crafts both musicals and stage plays, the latter of which includes Swimming at the Ritz and Underfoot in Show Business. This agent also manages Jennifer Johnston, acclaimed playwright of The Porch and Indian Summer.
She accepts online submissions, provided that you can attach at least 15 pages of your writing along with your current CV.
10. Nick Barron
Nick Barron developed his skills and knowledge of scriptwriting and production at Kudos for a year and a half. Afterward, he worked for companies such as The Agency and The Writers’ Company to solidify his role as an agent. And since 2017, he’s been a part of United Agents in London, UK.
Right now, Nick is the representative of Rabiah Hussain, writer of plays like Fish Kill and Where I Live and What I Live For — and is working on TV adaptations. Another playwright under him is Shaun Duggan who wrote A Brusque Affair and It’s Nearly June.
Are you ready to submit your work? Check the complete representation guidelines and prepare your CV and sample project, among other things.
11. Micheline Steinberg
In London, UK, you can discover Micheline Steinberg’s titular literary agency that caters to creatives in not just theater but also radio, TV, movies, and even the animation industry. She established it in 1985 and her company now cooperates with international agents.
Micheline’s ever-growing list includes Savior Pirotta and Perry Pontac. The former is an established children’s book author and playwright from Malta who made Granny’s Exploding Toilet. On the other hand, Perry penned Othello in Earnest and Codpieces.
As of writing, Micheline isn’t open to unsolicited stage plays. She’ll only consider works if competent industry figures refer them to her agency. Visit the submissions page for updates and contact details.
12. Frances Arnold
Frances Arnold joined Rochelle Stevens’s titular company in London, UK, in 1991 just seven years after its inception. Although her academic background was all about textile designs, she immediately and steadily grew her client list — and it only took a year after joining the agency.
Representation is a tough job but Frances manages playwrights with relative ease. One of her writers is Andrew Alty, creator of The Road to Hell and the award-winning The Leftover Heart. Likewise, Franches represents Stephen Greenhorn (Passing Places and Sunshine on Leith).
Frances currently accepts unsolicited stageplays. Writers can go to the submissions page to learn about the guidelines.
13. Jane Villiers
Playwrights should definitely consider Jane Villiers. For one, she’s an agent at the legendary Sayle Screen in London, UK, which has been operating since the late 19th century and is still independent to this day. Moreover, she’s been in the company for 27 years and currently occupies the role of managing director.
Jane represents Stuart Hepburn. Apart from full-length movies and countless TV projects, he’s the writer of plays like The Beaches of St. Valery, which premiered at Òran Mór two years ago. Then there’s Patrick Barlow, responsible for the hugely successful play adaptation of John Buchan’s novel The 39 Steps.
Interested writers must have a producer or executive vouching for their stage play if they want to submit it to Jane.
14. Susan Gurman
Even though there are many literary agents for playwrights in New York City, there’s no one like Susan Gurman. Aside from her membership in esteemed organizations such as the Dramatists Guild and the League of Professional Theater Women, she went to Columbia University for her master’s degree and Ph.D.
Susan’s clientele includes Charles Evered and France-Luce Benson. Evered is a seasoned playwright whose works like The Size of the World and Adopt a Sailor opened in NYC. As for Benson, he wrote Freedom Sea and Silence of the Mambo.
This agent is looking for more playwrights to add to her list. But only writers with referrals can submit their work for now.
15. Robert Freedman
Robert Freedman graduated with honors when he earned his bachelor’s degree and his law degree from Swarthmore College and the University of Pennsylvania, respectively. In 1966, he became the head of his father’s independent agency in New York City that’s been around since 1928.
Since he learned about agenting from his revered father no less, Robert amassed his own list of famous clients in no time. He once represented Mary Chase, the legendary children’s book author and writer of plays like Bernardine and Harvey from the 1950s. Similarly, Thornton Wilder won the Pulitzer Prize many times, two of which were for The Skin of Our Teeth and Our Town.
Sadly, Robert is not interested in unsolicited stage plays at the moment. Still, feel free to contact him if you have any questions.
16. Katie Langridge
Equipped with her bachelor’s degree from the distinguished Oxford University, Katie Langridge officially became an agent at the London-based Knight Hall Agency in 2010. Before this, she supplemented her knowledge of modern history with her experience in TV and stage productions.
If you’re inquiring about leasing stage plays or handling foreign rights, Katie is the go-to professional at the agency. Consequently, she constantly grows her list, which has P-Burton Morgan (You Lay Your Hand Backwards on My Heart and Wondr) and the award-winning Tristan Bernays (Boudica and Old Fools).
At present, Katie has closed her submission window. Visit the submission page in the future for more updates.
Another Top Literary Agent for Playwrights
17. Connor Goldsmith
Connor Goldsmith resides in New York and Los Angeles. He’s one of the premier agents at Fuse Literary, which isn’t that surprising because of his educational background in media studies and English & classic literature.
When he’s not representing clients, he’s working on his renowned podcast series about the X-men comic books. Apart from media critics and fiction authors, Connor also manages playwrights. For example, Bill Corbett wrote Hate Mail and The Big Slam.
His website provides a handy contact form for writers who want to inquire about his list. You can also submit a query but only if you have a referral.
Are there any other literary agents for playwrights that should be on this list? Please tell us about them in the comments box below!
K. Z. Kwan is a freelance writer based out of Halifax, Canada.