Young Playwrights' Guild

The Young Playwrights' Guild (formerly the Student Advisory Council) was formed to foster talented young playwrights and enable them with the skills to write a full-length play over the course of a school year. The Guild will also serve as an advisory council to the YPT board. Guild members will confer with professional artists, experience local art and write about what resonates with them.

Comprised of 6-12 current and alumni participants of YPT's Young Playwrights' Workshop and New Play Festival, the Guild meets every other Tuesday from September to May.  

Guild member candidates are recommended by YPT staff and teaching artists, based on their successful participation in a YPT program and their strong interest and engagement with YPT’s mission. 

Past Events and Performances

2019

2018 - 2019 Young Playwrights' Guild Final Sharing

June 4, 2019
Young Playwrights' Theater

Guild members presented selected scenes from their original, full-length plays, which were inspired by famous, quintessential plays! This was the first YPT event held in our new performance studio and rehearsal space in our Takoma DC headquarters. 

 

2018

2017 - 2018 Young Playwrights' Guild Final Sharing

June 13, 2018
Josephine Butler Parks Center

Guild members (left to right in the front) Jasmine Jones, Eva Sirotic*, Paul McCoyer*, Dachauna Johnson, Alice Hockstader (not pictured) presented original, short plays with help of professional actors.

See highlights from the presentation here!
 

2017

The Student Advisory Council Presents: Uncommon Views

Monday, April 3 at 7pm

Blind Whino Arts Club

Pay What You Can/Voluntary Contribution
Tickets: tinyurl.com/UncommonViews

The teen playwright performers of Young Playwrights' Theater's Student Advisory Council explore unique perspectives and new ideas through seven original plays chock full of humor and wit!

Tickets to Student Advisory Council (SAC): Uncommon Views are Pay What You Can/Voluntary Contribution. We know that not all our guests will be able to contribute, but if you can, please do so at the door! 

 

2016

The Student Advisory Council Presents: Hot Diggity Dog 
Friday, May 13
7pm - Reception at 6:30
Sitar Arts Center

The teen playwright-performers of YPT's Student Advisory Council present a light-hearted exploration of character, identity and - yes - hot dogs.

Sponsored by Ben's Chili Bowl and Haute Dogs & Fries. 

 

2015

One in the Chamber
Washington, DC Premiere
August 8 - September 6, 2015
Mead Theatre Lab at Flashpoint

In late 2014, former YPT Teaching Artist and longtime supporter Adrienne Nelson approached the Student Advisory Council with a unique and compelling project. She and her team were in the process of bringing One in the Chamber, a new play by L.A.-based playwright Marja-Lewis Ryan, to DC, and they wanted the Council to get involved.

Inspired by a 2013 New York Times article, "Children and Guns: The Hidden Toll", One in the Chamber takes us through the aftermath of a horrific accidental shooting. The play examines the tragic impact gun access has on one family and uses their story to discuss larger issues of gun ownership and youth gun safety. 

Seeking young people's perspectives on gun violence, the Chamber team invited the Council to write response pieces to the play itself. They did, and on September 6, 2015 - closing night of the show - professional actors read two of their pieces as part of a talkback that will also feature Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, the authors of the New York Times article and community organizations from both sides of the issue.
 

Stage Fright

Eight talented young playwrights perform a live reading of their original play, Stage Fright. Stage Fright explores the topic of fear through hilarious and poignant vignettes, culminating in a Choose Your Own Adventure-style performance where the audience decides the ending! 

Stage Fright is presented by the Student Advisory Council as a fundraiser for Young Playwrights' Theater.

Wednesday, May 6, 2015, at 7pm

FREE
Busboys and Poets
Recommended for ages 13 & up due to strong language.

Click here for a full album of photos from Stage Fright!

 

2014

The Student Advisory Council Presents: 
​Dear Mr. Stein

June 6, 2014 at 7pm
Sitar Arts Center
FREE
Recommended for ages 14 and up

Seven young playwrights present a reading of an original play that explodes myths about teenagers in an unflinching and hilarious evening of theater!

Click here for a full album of photos from Dear Mr. Stein!