New Voices One-Act Competition for Young Playwrights
The New Voices One-Act Competition seeks challenging, entertaining plays and musicals that are appropriate for teen and younger actors and/or audiences, as well as shows that have the potential to cross over to universities or community theatres. If you’re a young playwright in high school, consider submitting your short one-act play to this competition!
Interested in the competition?
Competition Overview
19 years old or younger
Eligibility
Free
Entry fee
May 1, 2025
Submission deadline
Late fall 2025
Winners Announcement
Competition Details
1. Overview
All plays must be an individual author’s original work—no collaborative work is allowed. Participants must be 19 or younger by May 1 of the competition year. Students can only submit one play each year, but they may submit again in subsequent years.
2. Prizes
First place winner: $250 cash prize and publication by YouthPlays.
Second place runner-up: $100 cash prize.
Submission Requirements
1. Length and Pages
- Students may submit unpublished, non-musical one-act plays between 10-40 minutes in length for the New Voices One-Act Competition. There is a 10-page minimum, not counting the title page or cast of characters page. We recommend no more than 35-40 pages.
- All genres are accepted, but the subject matter should be appropriate for a high school audience. Past winning plays have explored topics such as loss, eating disorders, 9/11, and one play in the absurdist style even involved a family removing a daughter’s heart—so don’t be afraid to push your creativity! All plays should have at least two characters.
2. Submission Components
- A Title Page containing the following information:
- Title of Play
- Name of Playwright
- Contact Email
- The following statement: I attest that I am 19 or under as of May 1, 2025.
- Teacher’s Name (in the case of home school entrants, you may use the name of a parent/guardian)
- Name of School/Organization
- Teacher’s/Guardian’s Contact Email
- School Contact Phone Number
- A Cast of Characters Page immediately following the title page
- The script, in standard format, should begin on the next page. All scripts must have page numbers.
