35th Young Playwrights Festival

The Young Playwrights Festival (YPF) celebrates the 35th year of inspiring Chicago students to explore their histories, research their communities and mine their personal journeys to write dynamic one-act plays for the stage. YPF is the only event of its kind in Chicago and is the second largest in the country.

The 35th Young Playwrights  Festival features three one-act plays grappling with judgement and perception. The 35th YPF is a recorded, fully staged theatrical experience streaming virtually and performed in tandem Thursdays – Sundays.

The winning playwrights’ productions are work-shopped and professional produced with full casts and production teams. The competition received nearly 300 submissions in 2021 with this year’s selections.

This year’s winning plays:

THE LITTLE THINGS by Laylah Freeman, Advanced Arts/Gallery 37, teacher Sarah Mostad | directed by Christian Helem
It’s Christmas 1950, chestnuts are roasting, but Minerva Spencer is busy dodging her mother’s match-making while she mourns her deceased high school boyfriend, Ben Crawford.

HAVE FAITH by Sarah Lerner, Whitney Young Magnet High School-teacher Elizabeth Danesh | directed by ILesa Duncan
While studying a Latin homework assignment, a Catholic University student accidentally summons a demon to her dorm room.

FIFTEEN MINUTES By Dalya Lessem Elnecave,  Lane Tech College Prep, teacher-Kirsten Hanson | directed by Ruben Carrazana
Five people in a park must frantically decide what to do when receiving devastating news.

Be sure to witness the startling and fresh results while enjoying an evening of theater from tomorrow’s stars in the comfort of your home!

ABOUT PEGASUS THEATRE CHICAGO
Pegasus Theatre Chicago has been a mainstay in the Chicago theater communityfor more than four decades. Its mission is to champion new, authentic voices and produce boldly imaginative theatre primarily by and about black, indigenous or other people of color (BIPOC). Home of the Young Playwrights Festival, the company promotes cultural equity while celebrating diversity, inclusion, and first voice. Pegasus is also committed to initiating important conversations through the arts with strong community engagement and socially relevant programming. Pegasus Theatre Chicago has received 77 Joseph Jefferson Awards since its inception.

Be sure to witness the amazing results of these writers professional debut and enjoy an evening of theater from tomorrow’s stars.

Virtual Performance Tickets: Adults: $25 | Pay-What-You-Can (Suggested $15)

Student Matinee Tickets: teachers and school administrators should contact ypf@pegasustheatrechicago.org.