TheatreSquared believes that young artists have the power to change the world. The Arkansas Young Playwrights Showcase provides young playwrights in Arkansas with the opportunity, tools, and support to share their truth with the community through creative writing.
Young writers (ages 13-18) are invited to submit a ten-minute script of any genre for the opportunity to participate in the Young Playwright’s Showcase. Scripts may be for plays, multimedia, video, film, TV, podcasts, or other writing for performance. Entries may be the work of an individual student or a collaboration between two students. A panel of theater professionals selects winners.
Writers are encouraged to craft short (10 minute) works from their own experiences and observations through the creation of fictional characters and settings, writing realistically or abstractly about any topic. Participation is open to public, private and home-schooled students.
Showcased student writers will be invited to participate in professional development activities provided by TheatreSquared in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Student writers will have the opportunity to work with professional writers to further develop their script, receive coaching/mentorship, and participate in a rehearsal process. Selected scripts will be showcased in a live public event at TheatreSquared.
Adjudicated by a panel of professional theatre artists, three plays will be selected to receive mentorship from a professional playwright and be showcased at the Arkansas New Play Festival (May 24, 2025).
TO SUBMIT: Please send a copy of your 10 minute play to Morgan Hicks at Morgan@theatresquared.org. Please include:
Name
Grade
School
Email
Phone Number
DEADLINE: The application deadline is April 1, 2025.
Young Playwrights Showcase Eligibility Requirements.
Not sure where to begin? Check out these resources:
Questions? Contact Morgan Hicks, Arts Engagement Director