23rd Annual Young Playwrights Festival

A Chicago tradition and the second oldest of its kind in the country, the Young Playwrights Festival celebrates over twenty years of giving voice to budding young playwrights within the city. The Young Playwrights Festival is a year-long cycle of workshops, performances and special programs, all centered on teaching play writing to Chicago’s young people and concluding with a citywide play writing competition.

Vincent Del Toral – Dine & Hash
Northside College Prep
Teacher: John Hahm
Directed by Ilesa Duncan, mentored by Marissa Wegrzyn
Synopsis: Guess who’s coming to dinner at the Prescott household? Mom introduces Kathleen’s born-again boyfriend as the family gardener, Dad brings home his suspicious new boss, and son Calvin tries to cover up a hair-brained, money-making scheme.

Jihad Kheperu – The Bench
Whitney Young Magnet High School
Teacher: Sarah Dolan
Directed by Alex Levy, mentored by Kent Gash
Synopsis: Three couples grapple with issues of love, loss, and connection on a Chicago park bench where their lives eventually intersect.

Raina Sun – Where We Have Been
Young Chicago Authors
Teacher: Toni Asante Lightfoot
Directed by Kimberly Senior, mentored by Mia McCullough
Synopsis: Perry loves Louisa. He loves her so much that he has overcome a history of violence and a tough childhood, turning his life around by trying to do the right thing. Perry now has to tell Louisa some important, life changing news. But, is he telling the truth?