Pegasus Theatre Chicago announces the 39th Annual Young Playwrights Festival running January 1 – 24, 2026. For nearly four decades, the Young Playwrights Festival, the oldest such festival in the United States, has engaged and inspired high school students across Chicago to craft one-act plays. More than 300 submissions are received annually with the winning teen playwrights’ productions being work-shopped, staged by industry professionals and receive a premiere under the auspices of Pegasus Theatre Chicago’s Young Playwrights Festival. This year’s winning plays include:
Blizzard Bound by Sophia Ponce | directed by ILesa Duncan
In a hurry to close up shop, a blizzard traps the owner of a convenience store with last minute customers.
A Question by Lola Zimmerman | directed by Ben F. Locke
A pair of strangers sit on a park bench and reflect on life as an asteroid hurtles towards earth.
Toil & Trouble by Ashley Snyder | directed by ILesa Duncan
When three sisters reunite to cast an ancient spell, long-held resentments are soon exposed. As tempers flare, the spell reveals something far more potent than anticipated.
Offices Etc. by Clark Tavas | directed by Anna C. Bahow
An office worker is desperate to find someone (anyone!) who knows how to operate Excel spreadsheets.
The cast for the 2026 Young Playwrights Festival includes Shelby Marie Edwards, Leah Huskey, Rich Lazatin, Diego Rivera-Rodriguez, Kianna Rose and Peter Stielstra with understudies Emmett Knee, Mia Marks, Karli Scott and Aaron Warrow.
The production team includes: Anna Bahow IIesa Duncan and Ben Locke; Manuel Ortiz (scenic designer); Brenden Marble(lighting designer); Saawan Tiwari (costume designer); Wendy Ann (props designer); Zach Stinnett (sound designer); Melanie Thompson (production manager) and Maryah Paige (stage manager).
Pegasus Theatre Chicago’s 39th Annual Young Playwrights Festival runs January 1 – 24, 2025 at Chicago Dramatists, 798 N. Aberdeen.
Tickets: Adults: $30 | Seniors: $25 | Students: $15
Student Matinee Tickets: High school/middle school teachers and school administrators: contact ypf@pegasustheatrechicago.org