Do you know a young person who loves to write? Play With Words, Phillips’ Mill’s annual student playwriting competition, is now open for submissions.
Students aged 12 to 18 who live within a 75-mile-radius of New Hope can submit 10-minute scripts to be evaluated by a juried panel. Six winners will each receive a cash prize of $100, a written commentary by the panel, and the opportunity to see their work performed in a staged reading for a live audience on the historic Phillips’ Mill stage in March 2026. Winners will be announced in early February.
Sponsored by the Phillips’ Mill Community Association, Play With Words is dedicated to supporting new works by encouraging students to explore the art of playwriting. In addition, a pre-submission workshop will be held via Zoom on October 22nd at 7:30 pm. The workshop will answer questions about Play With Words and how to submit, as well as allow students to direct questions about the art and challenges of playwriting to a published playwright with years of experience in writing, performing and directing. This is an exceptional opportunity.
All entries will be subject to blind judging and may be submitted now through midnight, January 5, 2026. Entry is free. Register for the free workshop and find the link to submit your work at https://www.phillipsmill.org/drama/play-with-words. Questions? Email Fran Ferrone at drama@phillipsmill.org.
