Indiana students in sixth through 12th grade have until Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2026, at 5 p.m. to enter Young Playwrights in Process, Indiana Repertory Theatre’s statewide playwriting competition. Entry is free, and every student who submits a play gets emailed feedback from a theater professional. Winners receive $1,000 in cash and finalists receive $250, and both get four tickets to any show at the theater.
Young Playwrights in Process Rules and How to Enter
Plays must be original, with no adaptations, and can run up to 2,000 words, including the title and stage directions. That is about 10 minutes onstage. Scripts are limited to four characters and no narrator. Students enrolled full time in an Indiana middle school, high school or home school can send up to three plays through the online entry form, leaving their name, school and teacher off the script.
Workshops, Finalist Weekend and the April Celebration
Top entries advance to an online workshop Jan. 20, 2027. Six finalists then hear their plays read by professional actors during Finalist Weekend, Feb. 20, 2027, and work one-on-one with directors and playwrights. The competition closes April 17, 2027, at Indiana Repertory Theatre, where actors read the two winning plays in full and perform excerpts from the finalists’ work. Students must be available for every workshop and event to advance. The contest page also has sample scripts and playwriting lessons.
Related Article: High School Plays and Musicals Around Indianapolis Kids Will Love
