Young writers with disabilities (generally, ages 14-19) enrolled in high school are invited to submit a 'ten-minute script'. Entries may be the work of an individual student or a collaboration of two students that includes at least one student with a disability. 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, metaphorically or abstractly about any topic, including the disability experience. 

Writers must be enrolled in high school (generally, ages 14-19) and must have a disability. Please read the eligibility for participation.

Multiple winners will receive exclusive access to participate in professional development activities provided by the Kennedy Center. Winners will work with industry professionals in further development of their own script, as well as participating in networking opportunities.

Learn more and apply online by Wednesday, January 10, 2024 at 11:59 pm ET.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does the Kennedy Center accept scripts in non-traditional formats?
A: Absolutely. Acceptable entries include traditional theater, film, podcast, or TV scripts, non-linear scripts, scripts that do not rely on spoken language, spoken word poetry, and/or scripts that emphasize the use of multimedia, non-traditional technologies/techniques, puppetry and audience participation. Entries will be accepted in traditional text format, but may also be submitted as video or audio files.

Q: Can I submit a play that was co-written by two people?
A: Yes. We accept co-authored entries. Please note that both writers need to be enrolled in high school (generally, ages 14-19) and at least one of the writers must be a student with a disability.

Q: What qualifies as a disability?
A: Eligible young writers may have visible, physical, and/or sensory conditions, as well as less visible conditions like anxiety, ADHD, chronic illness/pain, PTSD, dyslexia, neurodivergence, and more. Review definitions of disability associated with the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act.

Q: I wrote a play for a class at school. Can I enter it into the competition?
A: Yes. Please make sure that all application guidelines are met.

Q: I don't live in the United States, can I still apply?
A: Yes! We welcome international applications. International applicants must be enrolled in high school/secondary school (generally, ages 14-19), have a disability, and submit all materials in English or ASL.

Q: I am interested in writing scripts for TV and film. Can I submit a screenplay instead of a stage play?
A: Yes. We accept entries written for performance, including screenplays, plays, and musical theater.

Q: I need more information. How do I contact VSA?
A: For more information or to receive a copy of the application and guidelines in an alternative format, please contact the Office of Accessibility and VSA at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. We can be reached at 202-416-8898 (voice) or via e-mail at [email protected]

The VSA Playwright Discovery Award Program

Playwriting supports core subjects, reinforces 21st century learning skills, and helps students discover their creative potential. This newly revised guide shares teaching strategies and exercises that have proven successful in developing students' playwriting skills. Resources on the topics of disability are also provided. This publication is available online. Download a copy.

Script Format Example

Download an example of how to format your one-act play submission to the VSA Playwright Discovery Award program.

Disability in Literature and Film

Download a list of books, plays, and films that feature a character with a disability or focus on the theme of disability. Students and teachers may access this resource to research the topic of disability or to spark classroom discussion.

Essays on the Disability Experience

Download a series of short essays on the disability experience, written by theater professionals with disabilities.

The Ten-Minute Play

This year we invite Senior Division student playwrights to explore the Ten-Minute play. This style is encouraged for the senior division, but is not required. Please read the following definition and let it be your guide before submitting your ten-minute play. The Kennedy Center defines the ten minute play as follows:

A Ten-Minute Play is a play with at least two characters. It is not a scene, skit, or sketch. Structurally, it should have a beginning, middle, and end, just as any good one-act or full-length play. Reaching beyond the surface, the text should be enriched with subtext. Since we only have ten minutes to bring the story full circle, a dramatic conflict should be posed as quickly as possible. The resolution of that conflict is what plays out across the remaining pages. The true success of a Ten-Minute Play is reliant on the writer's ability to bring an audience through the same cathartic/entertaining experience that a good one-act or full-length play accomplishes; i.e., sympathetic characters with recognizable needs encompassed within a resolvable dramatic conflict.

Finally: ten-minutes means eight or nine pages, but certainly no more than ten pages. READ YOUR PLAY OUT LOUD to see how it times out using standard playwriting format, 12 pt. Arial font.

Kennedy Center Education

Generous support for educational programs at the Kennedy Center is provided by the U.S. Department of Education.

Gifts and grants to educational programs at the Kennedy Center are provided by A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation; Annenberg Foundation; the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation; Bank of America; Bender Foundation, Inc.; Carter and Melissa Cafritz Trust; Carnegie Corporation of New York; DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities; Estée Lauder; Flocabulary; Harman Family Foundation; The Hearst Foundations; the Herb Alpert Foundation; the Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family Foundation; William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust; the Kimsey Endowment; The King-White Family Foundation and Dr. J. Douglas White; Laird Norton Family Foundation; Lois and Richard England Family Foundation; Dr. Gary Mather and Ms. Christina Co Mather; Dr. Gerald and Paula McNichols Foundation; The Morningstar Foundation; The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation; 

Music Theatre International; Myra and Leura Younker Endowment Fund; the National Endowment for the Arts; Newman’s Own Foundation; Nordstrom; Park Foundation, Inc.; Paul M. Angell Family Foundation; Prince Charitable Trusts; Soundtrap; The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust; Rosemary Kennedy Education Fund; The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates; The Victory Foundation; The Volgenau Foundation; and Volkswagen Group of America. Additional support is provided by the National Committee for the Performing Arts.

The content of these programs may have been developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education but does not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education. You should not assume endorsement by the federal government.