For Young Playwrights

It wasn't until I turned eleven that I first started writing. I was fourteen before I wrote my first play. Now I am 17, and this year, 2009, is the first year that I have submitted plays for competitions.

Funnily enough, I've thought – sometimes for years in advance – about doing all of these things before I decided to actually follow through with the action. Perhaps, this is important for my development as a person and a writer. Yet, I can't help but look back and think, 'Gosh, wouldn't it have been cool if I'd started earlier, even when I was an 8-year-old tween.'

So, if you think you want to write a play, or if you've already written a play, follow this link to read about a great competition – if not the best – for young playwrights.

http://youngplaywrights.org/nationalcontest.htm

There are so many wonderful things about this competition that you'll have to discover some of them for yourself. These, however, are my three favorite things.

1. You can submit any type of original play (well, not a musical, but it's still a lot of freedom).
   
2. You may submit more than one play.... For free!
   
3. A professional will send you a written evaluation of your play just for submitting it.
   

That third item is invaluable. It's a theatre professional pointing out the strong and weak points of your play. And you don't have to be a finalist or a winner to receive this. Every single play that's submitted will be evaluated. The only thing you have to pay for is postage.

If you are or want to be a playwright, I sincerely encourage you to enter this competition. Fortunately, it's annual. The next deadline is January 2nd, so you've got some time (but trust me, it will fly by quickly).

Have fun and thanks for reading.
Zachary W.