We serve youth directly through the California Young Playwrights Contest, open to all Californians under age 19. Every year young playwrights submit original scripts to the Contest. Every writer who requests feedback receives an individualized script critique. Selected writers win script readings or full professional productions in Plays by Young Writers.

Distinguished artists from major theatres select festival scripts and write comments to the playwrights. With support from a dramaturg, each winning writer strengthens his or her script and participates in every step of the production process.

Playwrights Project also provides youth playwriting camps for students to explore their creativity outside of a school setting. These camps culminate in a performance on the final day of camp where student scripts are performed by professional actors.