VSA Playwright Discovery Award Program
Ryan Mercer and Florrie Bagel in the 2011 Playwright Discovery production, Handspeak by Emily Hedgecock. Photo by Scott Suchman
VSA Playwright Discovery Competition
The VSA Playwright Discovery Competition invites middle and high school students to take a closer look at the world around them, examine how disability affects their lives and the lives of others, and express their views through the art of script writing. Writers may write from their own experience and observations, or create fictional characters and settings. Scripts can be comedies, dramas, or even musicals—be creative! Young writers with and without disabilities are encouraged to submit a script. Entries may be the work of an individual student or a collaboration by a group of students. The competition has two divisions: grades 6-8 and grades 9-12 (or equivalents). A distinguished jury of theater professionals selects one winner from each division. The Division 1 winner will receive a cash prize for his/her school. The Division 2 winner will receive a cash prize for his/herself and school. Learn more about the competition, including the rules for entry and the full submission process.
The 2013 Call for Scripts is now open! Submissions will be accepted online through the link below. All applications must be submitted by June 1, 2013.
To request these documents in an alternate format, please contact us at (202) 416-8898 (voice) or vsainfo@kennedy-center.org.
VSA has an innovative and Free Resource Guide for Teachers to help guide teachers and students through the playwriting process.
topVSA Playwright Discovery Script Writing Intensive
The VSA Playwright Discovery Script Writing Intensive brings a select group of 5-10 student-writers, grades 9-12 (or equivalent), with a disability to Washington, DC for a weekend of pre-professional activities. The Script Writing Intensive includes script workshops, roundtable discussions, staged readings, performances, and more. Ideal candidates are active student-writers, passionate about the stage and/or screen, and interested in a career as a script writer. Students will be selected through a competitive application process that includes submission of 2-4 script writing samples of their choosing; personal narrative discussing their interest in the arts; and a phone interview. Learn more about the script writing intensive and application process.
All applications must be received by May 15, 2013.
The VSA Playwright Discovery Program is supported by the U.S. Department of Education.
The contents of this web page do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.
