Young high school writers with disabilities are invited to write and submit a ten-minute script (8-9 pages) for a performance, including screenplays, plays, and musical theater. Entries may be the work of an individual student or a collaboration of two students that includes at least one student with a disability. Writers are encouraged to craft works from their own experiences and observations through the creation of fictional characters and settings, writing realistically, metaphorically or abstractly about any topic, including the disability experience.
A panel of theater professionals selects division winners. Multiple winners will receive exclusive access to participate in professional development activities provided by the Kennedy Center. Winners will work with industry professionals in further development of their own script, as well as participating in networking opportunities.
Location(s)
Schedule
- Fall/Winter
Cost/Compensation
- Free
Eligibility Requirements
- Applicants must be current high school students
- Entrants must have a disability that is defined within the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act. This includes visible, physical, and/or sensory conditions, as well as less visible conditions like anxiety, ADHD, chronic illness/pain, PTSD, dyslexia, neurodivergence, and more. Review definitions of disability associated with the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act.
- Entries are open to international students but must be submitted in English or ASL.
- Winners must be able to be present for the VSA Playwright Discovery Program professional development events (virtual dates TBD, in-person dates late April) in order to be eligible for the award.
Deadline
- Early January
Application or Entry Requirements
- All applications must be submitted through an online application form
- Acceptable entries include traditional theater, film, podcast, or TV scripts, non-linear scripts, scripts that do not rely on spoken language, spoken word poetry, and/or scripts that emphasize the use of multimedia, non-traditional technologies/techniques, puppetry and audience participation. Entries will be accepted in traditional text format, but may also be submitted as video or audio files.
- All entries should follow these formatting guidelines:
- Include a cover sheet listing the title of the piece and the cast/character list. IMPORTANT: Do not show your name, address, or any identifying information on the cover or any page of your entry.
- Typed in 12 point Arial font.
- List page numbers on each page of the piece (not counting the cover sheet).
- Set the page layout to portrait (no landscape, please)
- Before uploading your file, please re-name the file as the TITLE OF YOUR SCRIPT
Notifications of Decisions
Financial Aid Details
Other Dates to Keep in Mind
- Application Period opens in October
Have other questions?
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, also known as The Kennedy Center, is a performing arts venue located in Washington D.C. Named in honor of President John F. Kennedy, the center is dedicated to promoting the performing arts and inspiring creativity and cultural exchange. The Kennedy Center is home to a wide range of performing arts, including theater, music, dance, and opera. It features multiple theaters and performance spaces, including the Concert Hall, Opera House, and Eisenhower Theater, which host a diverse array of performances and events throughout the year. The Kennedy Center is the official national cultural center of the United States and is funded in part by the federal government.
