(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- Stargazer Performing Arts is proud to announce the plays and playwrights for the 2026 Jersey Shore Young Playwrights Festival. This is the second year for the festival which showcases original plays written by students ages 13 to 18. Staged reading of the plays will premiere on Saturday, April 25 in the Gia Maione Prima Black Box Theatre at the Grunin Performing Arts Academy in Toms River.
"This festival is about giving young writers a platform to hear their words performed and to connect with other creative minds," said DeVivo. "These teens are tackling big ideas with courage, humor, and heart. It's going to be an inspiring evening."
Staged reading of the plays will premiere on Saturday, April 25 in the Gia Maione Prima Black Box Theatre at the Grunin Performing Arts Academy (1 College Drive) in Toms River. Admission is free, seating is general admission seating, but reservations are required. Tickets are available for purchase online and donations are always welcome!
The festival features the work of three talented teen writers (Mariya Antsiferova, Delilah Carolan, and Ashley Malone) who were selected through a competitive submission process. Each playwright brings a unique voice and perspective to the stage.
Mariya Antsiferova is a senior at Middletown High School South at will attend Thomas Jefferson University to study marketing. She likes nature, photography, playing video games, and driving. Empty Chair is her first play! The story is about a mother who continues to set a place at the dinner table for her son even though he has been gone for a long time.
"I love it when people read my play out loud because it makes me feel happy and it brings the words to life in a way I never expected when I was writing them," says Antsiferova. "There's something powerful about hearing real voices carry the emotions I put on the page, it reminds me that a play only truly exists when it is being performed, not just read silently. Seeing an audience react, laugh, or go quiet at the right moment tells me the writing did its job."
Delilah Carolan is a junior at Middletown High School South who discovered a passion for playwriting in the school's Playwriting class. Her play, Bloom, was developed in that class and has inspired her to write other stories.
"After it ended, I started writing more in my free time," says Carolan. Outside of writing, Delilah works backstage and participates in American sign language honors society and events at her school. In her free time, Delilah loves running, going on walks, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. She has a strong interest in fashion, thrifting whenever she can, watching A24 films, going on road trips, and matcha runs.
Ashley Malone is a freshman at Wall High School. She is excited to have her play, Together Is Our Favorite Place To Be, presented for an audience.
"Never give up on an idea," she said. "It takes a lot of time and dedication to write a play. It might be challenging to figure out how you want the story to go. But it's your story. There is no right or wrong. Make it the way you want it to be." Ashley thanks God, her family, and teachers for supporting her throughout the journey.
Founded by longtime theatre educators Jim and Bridget DeVivo, Stargazer Performing Arts provides high-quality theatrical training for young people ages 8–18. With programs in acting, improvisation, playwriting, and musical theatre, Stargazer is committed to fostering creativity, confidence, and community through the performing arts. This summer, Stargazer will offer a series of musical theatre camps at Brookdale Community College and Ocean County College.
