Young Playwrights of Tucson

The 7th Annual Young Playwrights of Tucson
Live Theatre Workshop is happy to announce our 7th annual playwriting contest for all local students between the grades 6th – 12th for the 2025/2026 school year. Each year through this program we open up our stage to showcase Tucson’s youth and their talents. From playwright, to acting, and even behind the scenes!
On March 6, 2026 we will announce the top plays to be workshopped. These shows will be paired up with some of our very own local seasoned playwrights who mentor our young playwrights to workshop their scripts.
On Sunday, March 29, 2026 we will have open auditions for students in 6th – 12th grade for actors and tech roles. We will host a one week intensive workshop camp for all student writers, directors, actors, and technicians, Tuesday, May 26 – Sunday, May 31, 2026 from 8:00am – 4:00pm each day. Our week ends with 3 professional performances on Friday May 29th at 7:00pm, Saturday May 30th at 2:00pm, and Sunday May 31st at 2:00pm.
Get tickets here.
Rules and Guidelines for Script Submissions
- All script submissions are due Friday, January 30, 2026 by midnight.
- All submissions must be original stories and can be any genre.
- No more than 7 pages with page numbers, 12 size font double spaced, no more than 8 characters.
- All playwrights must be between 6th – 12th grade for the 2025/2026 school year.
- Must have a cover page that includes show title, description of each character, and 3-5 sentences describing the plot. (cover page does not count towards your page limit)
- Most importantly your name cannot appear on your script. All playwrights are anonymous to our judges.
- While we don’t have any writing limitations on topics, we do ask that you limit unnecessary language. Any script with extreme or over used inappropriate language will not be considered for showcase.
- Submit your work here.
Please contact Amanda Gremel, Artistic Director of Education, at amanda.g@livetheatreworkshop.org if you have any questions.
IMPORTANT DATES AND DETAILS
We will announce the top plays to be workshopped in March of 2026. These shows will be paired up with some of our very own local seasoned playwrights who mentor our young playwrights workshop their scripts.
We will have open auditions for students in 6th – 12th grade for actors and tech roles: Date TBD. We will host a one week intensive workshop camp for all writers, actors, and technicians. Our week ends with professional performances on Friday May 29th at 7:00 pm, Sunday May 30th and Sunday May 31st at 2:00 pm.
2025 Selected Plays
What Was In The Cards
by Carter Oswalt
Directed by Alex Cramton
Carson Cassidy wanders into a large casino, he has no idea who he is, or where he is. He
is approached by Mr/Miss Katz with all the answers to his questions, revealing he is dead. They
offer life back, but he must win a game.
The First Lemonade
by Emmalynn Whitney
Directed by Amelia Manchester
In the time of the Roman Empire, circa 356 AD, there’s a situation. Marty needs to make
money to take his crush to the Celebration of Life Festival. He tries to figure out what to do, and
how to do it. When he’s at his lowest Life hands him a lemon….literally! Now what is he to do
with this lemon? Enjoy the exciting adventure of a boy who was able to create the very first
lemonade that we all know and love today.
Daydream of A Supernal Cubicle
by Alex Cramton
Directed by Matthew Frankenfield
An ever-optimistic office worker is, upon beating the record for most client calls
taken, certain he will be deemed the Employee of the Month. But, when another month of
nepotism-fueled awarding occurs, he can’t help but feel his endlessly efficacious spirit be dimmed.
Writers’ Block
by Nathaniel Wiley
Directed by Matthew Frankenfield
Robin, a successful novelist, needs to tell someone about his writer’s block.
So, he turns to the local psychologist, Dr. Parker. Although they don’t get along, the two
make progress in their conversations. However, when Dr. Parker accidentally falls in
love with Robin’s girlfriend, tensions boil over. “Writer’s Block” has it all: romance,
drama, whoopee cushions, and a mother-in-law built for sports.
Journey To The Rain
by Grace Keane
Directed by Nathaniel Wiley
Nana tells the ancient Native American myth about The Fly and Hummingbird to her grandchildren in an effort to help them better appreciate and understand their culture. During this story time the kids realize a personal connection to the myth which is manifested in the way that they become the characters in the story.
Dracula Goes To Florida
by Joleen Byrd
Directed by Emmalynn Whitney
In gloomy Romania, an oblivious Count Dracula “seeks” (holds hostage) the help of real
estate agent Johnathan Harker in order to move out of his home country once and for
all. Shenanigans ensue, and as expected from a Dracula adaptation, things get weird.

2024 Selected Plays
Ah, Love! What Could Go Wrong?
by Emmalynn Whitney
Best friends, drawn together by their love of video games, make a bet. If they are able to make a girl fall in love with them, the other two will chip in to buy the winner the newest video game. While walking through the park wondering how they were each going to pull this off, they each spot a girl, and immediately run towards her. The girl is a bit of an airhead, always spacing out and babbling about certain things, however whenever the boys start to make a move, she is completely clueless to their actions. The boys then start fighting over this girl. Did this simple bet turn into something to break up their friendship?
Phyllis: Into the Public School System
by Alex Cramton
Every universe has its Phyllis; one individual that fulfills all the Phyllis-criteria, but that role is also fraught with immortality and an eternity of service to others. That was until the potential was seen in one Phyllis to change it all. Now Phyllis Prime has located that Phyllis to teach her how to break free of the life of a Phyllis and pave the way for all the other Phyllises who want a liberated future.
Through and Through
by Amy Cao
A sad drunk drinks themself stupid at a bar until they suddenly cannot remember what was making them sad. As they try to figure out why they were upset through increasingly severe headaches, a friendly bartender offers to help them out and keep them company. Slowly, they start to realize that something isn’t adding up.
Murder Murder Mystery
by Stephen Norton
The story opens with our narrator introducing us to the story they are presenting of a murder mystery of Sherlock Holmes and his assistant Watson. Sherlock and Watson wonder about a
missing firearm before hearing a gunshot, so they go investigate. Catching the perpetrator red handed, he makes a getaway into an alley where he dawns a disguise. There Sherlock arranges all the people in the alley and goes through them one by one until he finds the killer.
The Understudies
by Christian Casarez
The understudies is a play that explores the extent in which a group of performers will go in order to reach stardom. This play takes place in a 1920’s jazz club. A group of understudies are tired of being held hostage from the stage and spotlight. When they finally have enough, they devise a plan that will not only change their lives, but also the people who thought they were their friends. Overall, this play is a story of lies, jealousy, selfishness, murder, and most importantly…PIZZAZZ!
Rocks
by Gigi Berry
Syd, a high school sophomore, knows that colleges like to see well-rounded students. However, she has recently joined more classes and activities than she can handle. As a result, she is busy all the time as well as stressed and burnt out. With the help of her two best friends, Syd might just learn the importance of not carrying too much, and finding balance in life.
The Perfect Sandwich
by Matthew Frankenfield
An ordinary kid starts high school today, and is tasked with making his own lunch for the very first time. He opts for his mom’s classic turkey sandwich recipe, but if he’s gonna be making this himself, he needs to add some of his own personal flair. He needs it to be perfect. As he tries to figure out what’s missing, he reminisces on his past, reflecting on his worries going into high school.