41st Annual Plays by Young Writers

UPDATE: Online ticket sales have ended. Please reach out to the Box Office Manager by emailing write@playwrightsproject.org or calling 619-567-9554.

41st Annual Plays by Young Writers

Playwrights Project’s 41st Plays by Young Writers Festival, sponsored by the Sheila and Jeffrey Lipinsky Family Fund, a live performance featuring winning scripts from the 2025 California Young Playwrights Contest.

SCHOOL MATINEES

Wednesday, February 25 – 10 AM
Thursday, February 26 – 9:30 AM and 12 PM
Friday, February 27 – 10 AM

PUBLIC PERFORMANCES

Saturday, February 28 – 7:30 PM – NIGHT OF CELEBRATION
*Public Celebration includes a pre-show reception with the writers.
Please note that online ticket sales end twelve hours prior to the performance.

Order of Events
6:30 PM – Reception
7:30 PM – Festival Performance
9:00 PM – Dessert and Coffee

One Ticket: $50 per individual
Pay What You Can options are available to make the Festival accessible for all. We ask you to consider paying full price if you can, and invite you to choose the ticket option that works best for you.

PLAYS

Full Productions

Company by Enrique de Castro (age 18, San Diego)
A medical student helping a friend’s elderly father learns to be present.

Invisible by Audrey Vecchio (age 17, Yucaipa)
Milo wants to help his sister navigate high school. One problem: he’s a ghost.

A Reckoning of Emmas by Harper Williams (age 17, Simi Valley)
11-year-old Emma’s parents are getting divorced. Future Emmas to the rescue?

Staged Readings

Purple & Prejudice by Mikaela Lee (age 14, Poway)
A bold purple ladybug fights discrimination to find her place in the world.

Family Love by Kaylynn Tran (age 13, San Diego)
With support from the family dog, Ralph connects with his workaholic father.

PRODUCTION TEAM

Cecelia Kouma, Executive Producer
Aria Proctor, Producer
Kandace Crystal, Festival Director
Jacole Kitchen, Director
Jason McIntyre, Kroc Staff
Anthony “Ginger” Garcia, Technical Director
Madison Mercado, Stage Manager
Michael Wogulis, Scenic Designer
Marni Fullington, Costume Designer
Mashun Tucker, Lighting Designer
Gerilyn Brault, Sound Designer
Andy Lowe, Dramaturg – “Company”
Danielle Ward, Dramaturg – “A Reckoning of Emmas”
Patrice Amon, Dramaturg – “Invisible”
Marjorie Treger, Dramaturg – “Family Love” and “Purple & Prejudice”
Mary Sutton, Box Office Manager

Acknowledgements

Playwrights Project gratefully acknowledges major support for this program from:

Sheila and Jeffrey Lipinsky Family Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation

Additional support provided by:
California Arts Council
City of San Diego Department of Cultural Affairs
The Prebys Foundation
Sidney E. Frank Foundation
Tippett Foundation