THE 31st ANNUAL YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL - SUBMISSIONS OPEN JANUARY 9 to March 15, 2023!

Submissions are now open for the Young Playwrights Festival, which celebrates its 31st Anniversary in Summer 2023!  Please complete a separate submission form for each piece!

Every summer, The Blank Theatre produces the 12 best plays by playwrights ages 9 to 19, chosen from a nationwide competition. In the past 30 years, we’ve produced 369 plays by these young  writers. Winning playwrights are provided careful mentoring and  direction from industry professionals to help prepare their work for  public performance and hone their skills, talent and confidence.

Nowhere else in the nation can young playwrights receive the prize of  seeing their vision come to life on stage in a professional production  featuring known actors from film, television and theatre. The plays are  crafted by seasoned professional directors and each is given several  public performances in a month-long Festival. 

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YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS ACADEMY - SPRING TERM REGISTRATION OPEN THROUGH JANUARY 15, 2023

For many years, we wanted to create a platform for young writers to be able to expand their skills in a professional environment, with small class sizes, to enhance what they may learn in school. We are excited to offer this exciting extension of our premiere national Young Playwrights Festival program to include class work to expand our reach to provide professional development of new artistic voices. 

The Spring term Academy classes will meet one time weekly between February 6 and April 2, 2023. We have several sections available at all levels. Admission will be granted based upon evaluation of your submitted writing sample and artistic statement. 

YPA courses provide:
12 hours of interactive class sessions as well as:
A Master Class led by a working writer
A Reading Showcases of each student's work with professional actors

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LIVING ROOM SERIES - SUBMISSIONS WILL OPEN SUMMER 2023 

In summer 2023 will accept submissions for the 33rd season of our Living Room Series, a New Play Development program which embodies The Blank’s commitment to developing new work by both established and emerging writers. The Living Room Series takes place on Monday evenings between Labor Day and Memorial Day. We are currently producing digitally until further notice.

The Living Room Series offers a week-long process for the playwright, director and actors to explore the play by putting it up on its feet in a limited rehearsal period and then presenting it to an audience. The performances are minimally staged, with actors carrying scripts, and are a wonderful opportunity for the playwright to get a sense of the play’s full potential. Submissions by women, playwrights of color, and other under-represented  voices are strongly encouraged. The Blank is firmly committed to  supporting gender parity and diversity.