What is Vermont Young Playwrights?

Now in its 30th year, Vermont Young Playwrights culminates in a festival of new plays, workshops, and special performances.

Over the course of a day long take over of our theatre at Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, first-time playwrights get to see their work brought to life by theatre professionals in front of an audience of their friends, peers, and members of their community. ​Learn more about Vermont Young Playwrights here.

Check out this episode of Stuck in Vermont created by Eva Sollberger of Seven Days to get a sense of the experience. =>

How does VYP work?

A professional playwright/teaching artist visits your middle or high school classroom for 2 or 3 full days over the course of a month or two. On the first day, students are introduced to the fundamentals of playwriting, and inspired by writing prompts to begin getting their ideas on paper. On the second (and optional third) visit(s), students read each other’s works-in-progress aloud, support and critique one another in a moderated feedback process, and refine their plays further. Teachers then select and submit three plays for Festival consideration. A panel of theater artists are brought together at the Flynn to read and rank these plays for successful application of playwriting principles, and then pass the top two along to Vermont Stage. Vermont Stage hires top-notch actors and directors to rehearse and perform the plays at the Festival at Main Street Landing in May. One play from each school is rehearsed and performed onstage, and the second play receives a public cold reading and moderated feedback session. The third place play gets an honorable mention in the Festival program.

How much? Can I get involved?

To allow sufficient attention to each student’s writing, there is a maximum of 25 students per residency (You can inquire about exceptions). Residencies will be arranged around your schedule. The Festival is held each year in mid-May. Residencies cost $1,000 for 2-days + Festival, $1,300 for 3-days + Festival.  A mileage fee is necessary for schools outside of Chittenden County.  

To sign up email [email protected] or call 802-862-1497. You can also visit Vermont Young Playwrights' website for more information.

When is the festival?

The 2025 VYP Festival will take place on Tuesday, May 20 at Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center.