Published by New Jersey Stage
originally published: 10/05/2023
Honorees of Spring 2023’s Young Playwrights Competition
The Theater Project, a leading incubator for rising talent and a showcase for New Jersey artists, is once again reaching out to creative young people for its annual Young Playwrights Competition. Winners receive cash prizes and see their work performed by professional actors at the Zoom awards ceremony in the spring. The honorable mentions are awarded gift certificates.
To jumpstart this year’s entrants, The Theater Project will stream last year’s four winning plays October 23-29. Virtual site visits to NJ classrooms by adult playwrights are also available on request on a first come-first served basis. Interviews with previous honorees and audio recordings of their plays are available on the company’s website in their podcast series, THE THEATER PROJECT THINKS ABOUT ….
The submission deadline to enter the 2024 competition is January 22. New Jersey’s high school playwrights submit their short plays at TheTheaterProject.org website, where they will find all the necessary entry guidelines and formatting rules.
“Kids need us to listen,” says artistic director Mark Spina. “Every year one of our winners tells us, ‘I would never have tried to do this if I hadn't heard about the competition.’ By providing this forum, we hope to inspire more young people to write and develop the verbal abilities, critical thinking skills and creativity that they need to succeed in any field.”
Several past winners of the Young Playwrights Competition have gone on to pursue degrees in theater and playwriting, and they often return to The Theater Project’s event to present prizes and share their journeys with the newest honorees. After the ceremony, the judges, members of The Theater Project’s Adult Playwrights Workshop, also offer half-hour tutorials to any interested entrant.
“We want to make sure that kids know their creative efforts are valued by showcasing them for the community,” says program coordinator Kevin Carver. “Arts education sometimes gets short-changed as schools struggle to meet so many demands, especially this year. But when kids lose out on arts experiences, they miss opportunities to develop critical thinking skills that are needed now more than ever.”
The 2023 honorees were:
FIRST PRIZE: Elise Harvey, Somerset County Vocational and Technical High School, Bridgewater
SECOND PRIZE: Delia Mullen, Communications High School, Wall Township
THIRD PRIZE (a tie) Nicole M. Beltre, Teaneck High School and Henry Frieman, Communications High School, Wall Township
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Kristen Gallagher, Communications High School, Wall Township
MJ King, Morristown High School
Leila Kramer & Trevor Preece (collaboration), Cherry Hill High School East
Mia Longenecker, Madison High School
Lucas Luchsinger, Union County Vocational Technical School, Scotch Plains
Charlie Patton, High Technology High School, Lincroft
Jonathan Tejada, Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy, Elizabeth
This program is made possible in part by a grant from Citizens Bank. The Theater Project is an award-winning professional company headquartered in Union, NJ.
EVENT PREVIEWS
James Rana to perform in Cape May for Classic American Tales on Thursday
(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- On Thursday, July 16, 2026, James Rana will read the first chapter of Vladimir Nabokov's "Pnin" at The Dormer House in Cape May. Every Thursday through October 15, Classic American Tales (CAT) presents stories written by noteworthy authors, read by a variety of performers, with lemonade and homemade desserts also served. Showtime is 4:00pm.
Skyline Theatre Company presents Shakespeare on the Porch with "Much Ado About Nothing"
(BLOOMFIELD, NJ) -- Skyline Theatre Company presents Much Ado About Nothing with performances July 17-18, 2026 as part of its Shakespeare on the Porch series. The Bard's ultimate rom-com comes to life on the porch of the Oakeside Mansion.
Aspire Performing Arts Company presents Green Day's American Idiot
(MONTVILLE, NJ) -- Aspire Performing Arts Company presents Green Day's American Idiot from July 17-19, 2026 at the Barn Theatre. The band's powerhouse album is brought to life in this electric-rock musical of youthful disillusion. The production features two sets of casts.
The Theater Project presents "Too Fat For China" by Phoebe Potts
(UNION, NJ) -- The Theater Project presents Too Fat For China from July 17-19, 2026 in the DMK Black Box Theater. Comedian Phoebe Potts' one-woman show follows the surprises and painful realizations of her adoption journey with humor and candor.
"Chip and Gus" - a comedy with balls comes to Florham Park on July 20th
(FLORHAM PARK, NJ) -- On Monday, July 20, 2026, Chip and Gus, a comedy with balls will be presented at The Thomas H. Kean Theatre Factory. The play is performed, directed, and created by John Ahlin & Christopher Patrick Mullen. Showtime is 7:30pm.
Trilogy Repertory presents "Shrek, The Musical" in Basking Ridge
(BASKING RIDGE, NJ) -- Bernards Township Parks & Recreation and Trilogy Repertory presents Shrek, The Musical across two weekends from July 16-25, 2026 at Pleasant Valley Park Amphitheater in Basking Ridge. Everyone's favorite ogre is back in the hilarious stage spectacle based on the Oscar-winning, smash hit film. Admission is free; bring your own lawnchairs and enjoy the show! Showtime is 8:00pm.
The Blue Moon Theatre presents "Where the Lost Children Play"
(WOODSTOWN, NJ) -- The Blue Moon Theatre presents Where the Lost Children Play across two weekends from July 17-26, 2026. This is a dystopian stage play by Hannah Lee DeFrates. It follows two young women, Willow and Poppy, navigating a grim society.
Nutley Little Theatre presents "The Worst Fairy Tale Ever"
(NUTLEY, NJ) -- The Narrator is ready to start the show, but how is that supposed to happen when nobody else in the cast has read the script and the costumes haven't even arrived yet? Children, families, and the young at heart will find out when Nutley Little Theatre presents The Worst Fairy Tale Ever by Todd Wallinger July 25-26, 2026.
Fool Moon Theatre presents "The Drowsy Chaperone"
(MARGATE, NJ) -- Fool Moon Theatre Company presents the award-winning madcap musical, The Drowsy Chaperone, across two weekends from July 17-26, 2026. Winner of five Tony Awards, this is a loving send-up of the Golden Age musical, featuring one show-stopping song and dance number after another.
The Theater Project presents Kaleidoscope Kabaret
(UNION, NJ) -- Kaleidoscope Kabaret (that's Kabaret with a K), The Theater Project's annual festival of live music and short comedic plays, will liven up the stage of DMK Black Box Theatre in Union Township's new Arts Center from July 24-26, 2026.
FEATURED EVENTS
