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, ILesa Duncan and Ben Locke (directors); Manuel Ortiz (scenic designer); Brenden Marble(lighting designer); Saawan Tiwari (costume designer); Wendy Ann (props designer); Zach Stinnett (sound designer); Melanie Thompson (production manager), Maryah Paige (stage manager) and Alishiana Uyao, (assistant 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
Production Staff
About the Artists
Shelby Marie Edwards (she/her) is an actor-musician, solo performer, and southern belle, now southside Chicago living. Theatre Credits include: Rabbits in their Pockets (Lifeline Theatre), Qualia (Subtext Studio Theatre), A Bronx Tale, The Wedding Singer (Surging Films and Theatrics), Holly’s Ivy, Lost Home Win Home (Fillet of Solo at Lifeline). Regional: Abiyoyo (Chicago Symphony Orchestra), FLEX (Summit Performance Indianapolis), Chicken & Biscuits (Virginia Repertory Theatre), Little Women (Virginia Theatre Festival). Education: M.A. – University of Chicago & B.A. – Virginia Commonwealth University. Film Credits include HBO’s Lovecraft Country. Shelby is a proud alumna of Steppenwolf ’s professional leadership program. IG: @ShelbyMarieEdwards
Leah Huskey (she/her) is a Chicago-based actor and comedian represented by Actor’s Talent Group. Previous credits include Hedda Gabler and Malapert Love (The Artistic Home), Richard III (Babes with Blades) and Chicago PD (NBC). She is an ensemble member at GreatWorks Touring Theatre and Nonsense Productions. Check her out at leahnicolehuskey.wordpress.com
Rich Adrian Lazatin (he/him) is thrilled to be making his Pegasus Theatre debut with YPF39. Previous credits include Happy Days are Here (Again) (Steep Theatre) and Flood (Shattered Globe). Film credits include “Debaters” (dir. Alex Heller) and “Patient” (dir. Lori Felker). Rich is represented by Gray Talent Group.
Peter Stielstra (he/him) is a Chicago based actor and singer. He moved to Chicago from the San Francisco Bay Area after graduating from UC Berkeley, minoring in Theater and Performance Studies. Favorite Chicagoland credits include Twihard! (Apollo Theater), Alice by Heart (Kokandy Productions), and Girlfriend (PrideArts).
Emmett Knee (US) is an up-and-coming Chicago-based actor. He is so excited to be making his Pegasus Theatre debut, and to be understudying the talented actors of YPF39! Emmett was most recently seen in Hairspray (Beverly Arts Center), and in a workshop production of The Other Place, a new musical. Emmett is an active member of the Apollo Chorus of Chicago, performing classical music across the city. He sends love to his family, friends, and Aidan.
Mia Marks (US) is so excited to make her Pegasus Theatre debut! Mia has previously worked as an understudy in Chicago for Black Button Eyes Productions and Strawdog Theatre. Previous credits include Gruseome Playground Injuries by Rajiv Joseph, and I and You by Lauren Gunderson.
Karli Scott (US) is excited to work with Pegasus Theatre for the first time! Previous theatre credits include: The House That Will Not Stand (u/s-Invictus Theatre) and Beneath the Willow Tree (u/s-Pulse Theatre). Karli is represented by The Rock Talent Agency.