• The 27th Annual Young Playwrights Festival | October 17 & 18, 2026
  Directed by: Kelly Trumbull 

  Six World Premieres. Six New Voices. One Unforgettable Weekend!

• The 27th Annual Young Playwrights Festival features six one-act plays written by the region's most promising young writers. Selected from nearly 300 submissions, these six original plays written by middle and high school students are professionally produced in The Lillie Theatre and capture the stories of today. New this season, visit the PLAY GROUND in between performances on October 17 & 18 for additional programming and activities, including staged readings of honorable mention scripts, drop-in creative experiences, food trucks, and youth-led activities. Finally, support Education Programming all season long with the additional purchase of a VIP Festival Pass, which includes tickets, swag, and more!

  Saturday, October 17: 2:00 PM High School Performance, 6:00 PM Middle School Performance
  Sunday, October 18: 2:00 PM Middle School Performance, 6:00 PM High School Performance

  Tickets purchased on this page are for the Young Playwrights Festival performances only; tickets are not required for PLAY GROUND. VIP passes can only be obtained by calling Sarah at 412.431.4400 ext. 226 or emailing development@citytheatrecompany.org.

  CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

  EDUCATORS: Student matinees are available at 10 AM October 13th - October 23rd. Contact Katie Trupiano at ktrupiano@citytheatrecompany.org for reservations.

  Middle School Performances will be on October 13th, October 15th, October 20th, and October 22nd.

  High School Performances will be on October 14th, October 16th, October 21st, and October 23rd.

  Tickets are $10/person.

   

This year's plays include: 

MIDDLE SCHOOL                

• Opening Night with a Twist by Ayla Roden, 8^th grade, PPS CAPA 6-12

  On the opening night of the Oak Hills high school musical, everything begins to unravel behind the scenes. When the lead actor is suddenly unable to perform, a shy ensemble member is thrust into the spotlight with little time to prepare. As technical mishaps pile up and tensions rise, the cast and crew scramble to pull the show together before the curtain goes up.

   

  The Not So Epic Epic of Kyle and Thaddeus by Suprem Chauhan and Sanyog Pokhrel, 8^th grade, Belle Vernon Middle School

  When a self-proclaimed heroic knight is sent on a quest to retrieve a legendary treasure by a cranky king, he reluctantly teams up with an eccentric and unpredictable wizard. As the pair journeys through a dangerous forest filled with magical obstacles, their clashing personalities lead to unexpected challenges, unlikely teamwork, and a growing partnership. Together, they push forward toward the promise of riches, only to discover that not every quest ends the way it’s supposed to.

   

  The Weight of Nothing by Riley Kellar, 7^th grade, Keystone Oaks Middle School

  In an ordinary classroom, a group of students begin to feel something they cannot name—a pressure that lingers, shifts, and grows. As fragmented conversations unfold and inner thoughts take shape, their shared experiences begin to surface. Moving between silence, confession, and connection, the group explores what it means to carry something invisible, and what changes when it is no longer carried alone.                        

   

  HIGH SCHOOL                

  The Prince and the Poet by Jack Longstreth, 11^th grade, Fort Cherry High School

  After the sudden death of his father, a young prince is thrust into power and struggles to meet the expectations of the crown. As he prepares to rule, he is visited by the Poet, a reflection of the part of himself he has tried to suppress. As pressures mount and difficult decisions reshape his kingdom, the prince must choose what kind of leader he will become, and what parts of himself he is willing to leave behind.

   

  P1: Downtown by Justus Payne, 9^th Grade, PPS CAPA 6-12

  A group of strangers wait for a delayed bus on a foggy morning in Pittsburgh’s East Liberty. As time stretches and tensions rise, conversations shift from small talk to personal history, conflict, and unexpected connections. When news of a violent incident on the bus line emerges, the group is forced to confront difficult choices about responsibility, urgency, and whether to stay or move on.  

            

  My Own Sonnet 18 by Elroy Jung, 10^th grade, North Allegheny High School

  After earning a spot on her fencing team’s varsity lineup, Zoey finds herself pushed outside her comfort zone and into unfamiliar territory. With encouragement from her friends, she sets out to confess her feelings to a classmate, relying on a well-meaning but unreliable “wingman” to help her along the way. As messages are misdelivered, plans unravel, and expectations shift, Zoey must navigate uncertainty, friendship, and the reality of putting her feelings into words for the first time.

• Workshops

• Playmaking Lab: Collaborative, performance forward, theatre workshops for students eager to work on their feet, collaborate, and create. 5-15 hours of instruction.

• Post-show Workshop: A facilitated post-student matinee writing workshop that helps students analyze the performance and respond through creative and reflective writing. 60 minutes of instruction.

• Introductory Lesson and Toolkit: A short hands on introduction to playwriting led by a City Theatre teaching artist, paired with a digital toolkit educators can use to extend learning independently. 90 minutes of instruction + digital self-paced toolkit.

• Want more information? Reach out through our inquiry form.

• Student Matinees

• City Theatre student matinees offer educators and students the opportunity to experience new and adventurous plays in a professional theatre environment. Pre-show, teachers are sent a classroom-ready resource guide, featuring context, discussion questions, and writing prompts. Following the performance, students participate in a facilitated talkback with theatre artists to reflect on the play, ask questions, and engage in critical discussion. 

• Pair with a post-show workshop to help students analyze the performance and respond through creative and reflective writing!

• Want more information? Reach out through our inquiry form.

• • professional learning

• • Student Voice Lab is a free, yearlong learning community for educators who believe that students deserve authentic opportunities to be heard. Through interactive workshops, discussion, and reflection, participants will explore the conditions that help young people take creative risks, tell meaningful stories, and connect with real audiences. Click here to learn more! Email Katie Trupiano at ktrupiano@citytheatrecompany.org to sign up!