Lauren Williams and Michael Vitaly Sazonov in For the Love of Goldfish, the 2009 Playwright Discovery Award recipient. Photo: Scott Suchman.

The VSA arts Playwright Discovery Program invites middle and high school students to take a closer look at the world around them, examine how disability affects their lives and the lives of others, and express their views through the art of playwriting.

Playwrights may write from their own experience or about an experience in the life of another person or fictional character. Scripts can be comedies, dramas, or even musicals--be creative! Young playwrights with and without disabilities are encouraged to submit a script.

Entries may be the work of an individual student or a collaboration by a group or class of students.

The winning play will be professionally produced or staged at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The winning playwright receives $2,000 and a trip to Washington, D.C., to see his or her play performed. All submissions must be received by April 15, 2010, for consideration.

Download the official rules and guidelines here.
Download the official application here.