Playwriting contest

Who should enter?  

9-12th graders in a public, private or charter school in the Washington, DC metro area including, Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, or Northern Virginia

What should I write about?

Anything!

We want to encourage you to share your unique voice and imagination with us! Write about space, history, sports, your favorite food, anything! The main goal of the contest is for you to share your creativity with others.

How much should I write?

Plays should be 10-20 minutes in length and no more than 25 pages long. They should ideally have no more than 6 characters.

Remember: 1 page is approximately 1 minute of performance

I’m having trouble writing.

We’ve got you covered.  Below you’ll find some writing prompts that can help you get started. 

WRITING PROMPTS

• What does the word Justice mean? How do you see it lived out, or not lived out, in your

  community?

• If you were sent back in time, how would you be different or the same?

• Describe the circumstances of your dream future. What would it feel like? Who would lead the way? How would the world be different, and better, than now?

• What would happen if you woke up in a different world—or even a different planet? What would that world look like? How would it be different?

• Write a play about a pet or animal. What would they say if they could speak?

• Write a play in which a character from your childhood is all grown up or much different than you remember them. 

• Take an event from history or the news and imagine your best friend being engaging in it.

What can I win?

We will select a first, second, and third place winner. The first place winner will receive a cash prize of $300. The second place winner will receive $200 and the third place winner will receive $100.

All winners will have their plays read and directed by professional theater artists at the High School Playwriting Contest Play Reading on Saturday, February 24 at 2 PM at the Petworth Branch of the DC Public Library.

What else do I need to know?

The rules, of course!  Below is a summary of the contest rules.
FULL CONTEST RULES (see updated text below)

• The play must be submitted in English.

• The play must be a complete draft.

• The play must be the original creation of the Entrant.

• The play must include a title page with the playwright’s name and school information.

• The play must follow a consistent writing format and have numbered pages and stage directions. See formatting guide: Formatting Guide from Playwrights Center

• The play must be in PDF format.

• The play must be in 12 pt. font.

• The play must not require more than 6 actors to be performed.

• The play must avoid language deemed offensive to the general public.

SUBMISSIONS ARE DUE BY DECEMBER 15, 2023.

WINNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED BY JANUARY 19, 2024.

The High School Playwriting Contest is generously underwritten by The Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affiars, Frank Guzzetta & Paul Manville and Leonade Jones, and is produced in collaboration with the DC Public Library.