Phillips' Mill Challenges Young Playwriters To "Play With Words"

NEW HOPE, PA — Who wants to Play With Words? The Phillips’ Mill Community Association is has announced a new venture designed to encourage young writers to compose original works for the stage.

Play With Words is a youth playwriting challenge for students in grades 6-12 who would like an opportunity to see their work performed in a staged reading in the historic Phillips’ Mill theater. Building on the success of its Emerging Playwright Competition, the Phillips’ Mill Drama Program is expanding its outreach, inviting students to submit entries. The readings of the winning plays will take place on Sunday, March 12, 2023.

Students in grades 6-12 currently enrolled in a public, private, charter or home school within a 25-mile radius of Phillips’ Mill are eligible. The first 50 submissions received during the acceptance period –Oct. 12 through Dec. 31, 2022 – will be considered. Winners will be selected in three categories: Grades 6-8, Grades 9-10 and Grades 11-12. Co-authoring is allowed making this a fun opportunity for siblings, friends, drama clubs, scout troops, church groups, and the like. There is no entry fee for this competition.

Entries must not exceed 12 pages and should have a running time of 10 minutes or less with two-to-four characters. Scripts should include a character breakdown and use American Standard Playwriting format. Submitted works must be original, unpublished and not previously produced on a stage (except in a workshop or educational setting). All plays must be appropriate for a General Audience, PG-13.

Winners will receive a $50 cash prize in addition to having their work performed live at the staged reading at Phillips’ Mill on Sunday, March 12 at 3 p.m. Authors of winning submissions may direct their work, if desired. Phillips’ Mill will select all actors, and directors if the playwright chooses not to direct. Playwrights are required to be present at the March 12 live reading event and to participate in a moderated discussion with the audience after the readings. The competition judges will provide expert commentary for all entries.

To learn more about this sensational new opportunity for students, and to download the Play With Words prospectus and fill out the on-line application, visit www.phillipsmill.org.

The Phillips’ Mill Community Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of the arts and preservation of the artistic and cultural heritage of the Bucks County area.