We believe that a student’s environment, experiences and dreams serve as the basis for our playwriting programs. We are excited to help them draw out their stories by engaging them in readings and writing exercises. We have found that as students develop and apply their voices in writing for the stage, they are better equipped to draw enriching parallels between their personal lives, understand each others’ perspectives and make valuable connections in their communities.

The Young Playwrights Festival (YPF) currently offers in-school workshops, an integrated festival-based residency program, an annual playwriting competition, and weekend revision writing intensives each summer. The Young Playwrights Festival Residency Program – standards-based residencies – are facilitated by professional Playwriting Instructors, who partner with teachers to bring high-level creative writing and playwriting workshops into the classroom. Curricula can often be enhanced in partnership with classroom teachers, and is designed to help students bring their own personal narratives into dialogue with the issues and themes already being studied in the classroom.

The Young Playwrights Festival includes:

  • One-Time Introductory Workshop (The Tour)
  • Twelve Sessions of Instruction by professional playwrights
  • Professional Development Opportunities for Teachers
  • Field Trip Opportunities to YPF Matinees to experience plays written by and about teens
  • Annual Playwriting Competition (3 rounds of adjudication)
  • Summer Weekend Revision Writing Workshop
  • Annual Final Round Celebration
  • Annual Professional Production of Student-Written Plays