Experience powerful readings of new plays by Philadelphia-area middle and high school students, brought to life in collaboration with professional and collegiate theater artists. This ONE-DAY only reading will feature four pieces by student playwrights.

“The Ad” by Lesley Zhang, Rosemarie Soler, and Gabrielly Rodriques, J.R. Masterman, 6th Grade

“All My Ghosts” by Dylan Paul, Science Leadership Academy, 10th Grade

"The Fight to Stay" by Xavier Carrion, Science Leadership Academy, 11th Grade

"Seven Animals" by Tyler McNulty, Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush, 12th Grade

Showtimes: Saturday, February 22nd at 2pm

Venue: Drexel University URBN Center Annex, Black Box Theater, 3401 Filbert St Philadelphia, PA 19104

Tickets are pay what you decide with a suggested donation of $15.

Join PYP for an all-ages playwriting workshop before the show! The workshop will run from 12:00 - 1:30 and lunch will be provided. The workshop will take place at the Community Education Center at 3500 Lancaster Ave (a 5 minute walk from the Drexel Theater). Register for the workshop here!

About the Play Selection Process

Each year, Philadelphia Young Playwrights invites students to submit their plays and monologues to the Annual Playwriting Festival. Plays are considered by the Literary Committee—a collection of nearly 70 program alumni, artists, staff, teachers, and others—who read and write individualized responses to every play. Literary Committee members recommend a number of outstanding plays to be considered for further consideration by two additional groups of readers, Pre-Final Committee and Final Committee. At Final Committee, the panel selects plays and monologues for opportunities such as public productions, one-on-one mentorship, and one-day playwriting retreats. Students whose pieces are selected for production are invited to continue to revise and develop their plays in partnership with theater professionals as part of the rehearsal and performance process.

These plays were selected from over 700 submissions from 30 different schools to be a part of our Play Development Series! Student playwrights have the opportunity to be present in the rehearsal process, and work with local professional directors and actors to bring their writing from page to stage.

Play Development Series at Drexel University 2025

Fresh New Plays from the Next Generation of Writers