TDF Young Playwrights Program

Residency

The TDF Young Playwrights Residency is a year-long collaboration between TDF and schools. Together we explore live performance as students craft original works that are shared as staged readings Off Broadway.

By the numbers: 700 students, 10 schools, 15 teachers, 27 classrooms, 646 individual workshops

Summer 

The TDF Young Playwrights Summer Program is a free two-week playwriting intensive led by award-winning dramatist Crystal Skillman that is open to tri-state area high school students. We welcome those with a curiosity about playwriting to apply. 

By the numbers: 12-15 students, two weeks of master classes

Who is eligible?

Rising high school sophomores, juniors and seniors who are interested in learning the craft of playwriting and creating their own works. Please note that the program will also explore other forms of dramatic writing such as audio drama and screenwriting.

Students must have well-developed writing skills and an interest in playwriting along with a recommendation from a teaching artist or English teacher. Team spirit, commitment and enthusiasm are important qualities for this program.

What does the Young Playwrights Summer Program include?

• Playwriting workshops five days a week for two weeks, with independent and group writing done independently
• An outing to a Broadway show for study and inspiration
• Small group seminars with professional playwrights and artists talking about their creative process
• Writing (and rewriting) a ten-minute original play
• Professional actors reading student plays in progress
• Staged readings of final works by professional actors

When is the Young Playwrights Summer Program?

Two weeks in July and August. 

Where is the Young Playwrights Summer Program?

Indoor, in-person sessions will take place at TDF's well-ventilated Midtown Manhattan offices at 520 Eighth Avenue between 36th and 37th Streets, Suite 801.

How to apply:

Applications for summer 2023 are closed. Applications for next summer will be posted in May 2024. 

Group

The TDF Young Playwrights Group is a free, year-long, after-school playwriting workshop for high school students. Teaching artist Noelle Ghoussaini leads participants in theatre and writing exercises, community-building activities, and crafting original plays, poems and other creative material. Completed works are performed by professional actors at the end of each semester. Participants also attend shows and work with guest artists. If you would like to join the ensemble, you need to be available on Thursday afternoons for the full school year, with the exception of scheduled holidays.

By the numbers: 12-15 student members, 24 individual workshops

To see the Young Playwrights Group in action, watch a video of the 2020 virtual final showcase below.

How to apply

The application for the 2023-2024 academic year will open in September.