Young Playwrights’ Theater gives voice to a new generation through the art of playwriting. A nationally recognized leader in arts education, YPT strives to make the arts, and specifically theater, a core part of every student’s education.  

YPT proves the value of the arts in the classroom by demonstrating the direct and positive impact of an active, arts-integrated process on student learning. By exploring playwriting, revision and performance with professional artists in the classroom, students learn the power of language and create exciting new plays that reflect and engage their communities. YPT shares student-written work with local, national and international audiences to provide a window into students’ lives, cultivate an appreciation for young artists and inspire others to write. By seeing their work brought to life for their community, students realize their ability to affect the world around them.

Through interactive in-school and after-school programs, YPT activates student learning and inspires students to understand the power of language and realize their potential as both individuals and artists. By publicly presenting and discussing student-written work, YPT promotes community dialogue and respect for young artists.

• Each student has a story worth telling. We believe the stories that our students have to tell are valuable and provide communities with a powerful perspective about the youth experience. The YPT process invites students to share their ideas, dreams and beliefs through the playwright’s craft.

• The arts are critical to excellence in education. We believe that theater and the art of playwriting are powerful tools in developing creativity and self-expression and in fostering learning across disciplines.  

• The process is more important than the product. We involve students in an ongoing creative process that enhances their learning and literacy while providing them with appropriate building blocks to construct a play. While we strive for artistic excellence, we believe the effect of the YPT process is ultimately more important than the work produced. 
   
• We strive for high standards from all who participate in our programs. The YPT process honors and respects the value of the work of its professional artists, students and partners. YPT expects the same self-discipline and respect from students as it does from the professionals involved in the process.

• We meet students where they are. By reaching out to students through organized in-school, after-school, and summer programs at neighborhood schools and community centers, YPT provides students of diverse backgrounds with a supportive environment where they can exchange ideas and express themselves freely. 

• We value collaborations and partnerships to leverage resources to accomplish our purpose. YPT fosters partnerships and forges strategic alliances that both advance and are consistent with our mission and brand. We hold ourselves accountable to optimally use our resources to fulfill our commitment to the community.
  
  
• We work to build a culture driven by inspiration, creativity and joy, and supported by collaboration and teamwork. The YPT is office is a safe and comfortable space where all staff, students and artists are deeply valued and respected.
  
  
• We are committed to providing staff with the space, freedom and time to innovate and dream, and with opportunities for personal and professional growth and development.
  
  
• We each own and celebrate the success of our company. We believe in focused, outcome-driven work, and we strive to develop a staff that is deeply connected to our mission and accountable for the success of our students, our community and our mission.
  
  
• We know that YPT is a company powered by people. We therefore work to balance sustainable organizational and programmatic growth with thoughtful consideration for the physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of our staff, weighing all new opportunities and carefully considering their impact.

YPT is the only professional theatre in Washington, DC dedicated entirely to arts education. Deeply engaged with local schools, YPT:

• Fully integrates into existing curricula, using its innovative approach to learning to help classroom teachers teach the required standards. 
• Helps students learn the importance of writing, revision and grammar as a way to communicate what is important to them -- their ideas, dreams and beliefs -- to the world around them.
• Employs accomplished teachers, who are also seasoned artists, to teach students the craft of theatre and playwriting. 
• Seeks to have long-term impact on student growth by working with a limited number of students each year and tracking their progress after their completion of the program.
• Shares only its students’ original works through professional productions and tours that include the area’s finest actors, directors and designers.

YPT’s Company Policies

YPT’s Writing Process.

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