Plays by Young Writers

The 25th Season of Plays by Young Writers was produced at The Lyceum Theatre in downtown San Diego in February 2010. The work presented sprang from the imaginations of playwrights under age 19, the winners of our California Young Playwrights Contest. Contest scripts are evaluated in two age groups - winners age 14 or under receive readings, while the others work with Playwrights Project to stage full productions of their scripts. The older playwrights spend months on revision, guided first by writing professionals and later by questions from the artists mounting the plays.

Audiences of all ages enjoy weekend and evening performances, while weekday performances are reserved for school groups. Students are inspired by the teenage writers and intrigued by characters grappling with conflicts much like their own.

Photos by Ken Jacques

Congratulations to this year's Winning Playwrights!
Download a press release.

Full Productions

Re-Drowning Ophelia
By Katie Henry
Age 18, Berkeley
Directed by Katie Rodda
Six clever, outspoken girls defy teenage stereotypes as they forge unexpected friendships
Contains mature content and themes. For ages 17+

Funny Little Thing
By Quinn Sosna-Spear
Age 17, Santa Barbara
Direced by George Yé
A whimsical comedy about couples, from blind dates to the golden years

What All School Children Learn
By Benjamin Sprung-Keyser
Age 16, Los Angeles
Directed by Anne Tran
A thought provoking drama about schoolyard bullying and the acceptable limits of retaliation

Readings
Directed by Carrie Klewin

In the Stars
By Nachiketa Baru
Age 13, San Diego
Two friends find a get-rich-quick scheme written in the stars

The Tale of Jack
By Enrique Hernandez
Age 13, Escondido
Jack tries to outsmart the Grim Reaper before the Reaper gets the best of him

The Funny Bone
By Chris Toth
Age 12, San Diego
and Mikie Kantya Layavong
Age 11, San Diego
Choco Bear searches for a funny bone to improve his jokes

Reviews and Press

Click here to read theatre reviews and press about this year's festival of Plays by Young Writers.