For high school students who are interested in theatre and creative writing, student theatre festivals are an excellent place to create original plays, work with professionals, and execute their work on stage. Below is a list of ten established festivals that give young playwrights some of the best opportunities to be playwrights and learn from professionals. These festivals allow students to develop their craft, find mentors, and acquire a wealth of experience in the performing arts.
1. Young Playwrights Festival – Eugene O’Neill Theater Center
Location: Waterford, Connecticut
Program Dates: May 16–18, 2025 (main event), January 16–30, 2025 (workshops)
Cost: Free (meals provided; housing/travel not included)
Eligibility: U.S. students aged 12–18
Application Deadline: Varies (see website for details)
This elite summer program is perfect for any high school student interested in playwriting and research of the theatre arts. Selected students will spend a weekend at the O’Neill Center developing their short plays with their own directors, dramaturgs, and actors in a process very similar to what applicants to the National Playwrights Conference can expect. The festival will conclude with a public script-in-hand reading, and with that, the students will receive thorough and rigorous feedback, professional mentorship, as well as a live performance of their work. The students will also gain an understanding of the functionalities of dramatic structure, collaborative-making of theatre, and work ethic as a playwright.
2. The Blank Theatre Young Playwrights Festival
Location: Los Angeles, California
Program Dates: July 6–30, 2025
Cost: Not specified
Eligibility: U.S. students aged 15–19
Application Deadline: Annually (see website)
Every year, the national festival invites young playwrights to submit original works, and 12 winners are chosen to receive mentorship from theatre professionals. The plays that are produced and performed by the Skylight Theatre Company. This program also focuses on the journey from first draft to production, giving students a complete experience and product to begin building their resume for a theatre career.
3. Berkeley Rep High School Theatre Festival
Location: Berkeley, California
Program Dates: Spring 2025 (residencies January–March)
Cost: Free
Eligibility: High school students from participating schools
Application Deadline: School selection process
This devised theatre festival is designed for high school students interested in collaborative creation and performance. Over a 9–10 week residency, students work with professional teaching artists to create original plays based on themes they select. The festival concludes with a showcase on Berkeley Rep’s Roda stage, providing students with ensemble-building skills, exposure to professional theatre, and a platform to address contemporary issues through art.
4. Young People’s Theatre Playwriting Festivals for Schools
Location: Toronto, Canada (school-based residencies)
Program Dates: School year
Cost: Varies (school partnership)
Eligibility: Middle and high school students
Application Deadline: School-based
Young People's Theatre (YPT) offers a residency program for schools where a professional playwright facilitates students through the playwriting process. The conclusion of the project is a festival celebrating students' scripts through staged readings with professional actors. The program promotes literacy, creativity and authentic self-discovery and enhances the arts curriculum of any school.
5. Barter Theatre Young Playwrights Festival
Location: Abingdon, Virginia
Program Dates: Annually (dates vary)
Cost: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students in Appalachia
Application Deadline: Annually (see website)
This festival has a focus on finding and growing talent in the Appalachian territory. It's an event to explore playwriting with students and educators via a workshop, and at the end of the workshop, students perform their plays they wrote. Teachers are provided professional development training on playwriting pedagogy as well as students receiving professional mentorship and the opportunity to see their stories on stage.
6. Wharton Center Young Playwrights Festival
Location: East Lansing, Michigan
Program Dates: Annually (see website)
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Michigan high school students
Application Deadline: Annually
In this juried competition, Michigan high school students are invited to submit one-act plays. Finalists develop their scripts with theatre mentors, receive cash awards, and have a staged reading of their plays at the Pasant Theatre. The festival values clear storytelling, personal voice, and the use of theatre to impact audiences.
7. Syracuse Stage Young Playwrights Festival
Location: Syracuse, New York
Program Dates: April 29, 2025
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Central New York high school students
Application Deadline: February 11, 2025
Syracuse Stage welcomes students to submit ten-minute plays for opportunities to take part in writing workshops, as well as have their work performed as staged readings by Syracuse University Drama students. Semifinalists receive professional feedback, and finalists get the excitement of performing in front of a live audience, encouraging growth as a writer and confidence in their writing.
8. Additional Regional and School-Based Festivals
Many local theatres, colleges/universities, and arts associations host yearly playwriting festivals for students. These programs usually require scripts to be submitted, include workshops and staged reading or productions, and provide students with important experience and community connections. Students are often encouraged to check with their schools' drama department or local theatre groups for opportunities.
9. Online Playwriting Competitions and Workshops
With the rise of virtual programming, several organizations now offer online playwriting competitions and workshops for high school students. These platforms provide access to professional mentorship, peer collaboration, and digital showcases, making playwriting accessible to students regardless of location.
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