PORTLAND — The Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine announces an opportunity for budding playwrights aged 17 and under to submit their original plays to the upcoming Youth Play Festival on June 1 and 2, 2024. The festival, which kicks off the 101st children’s theatre season, aims to ignite a passion for theatre and nurture the imaginative talents of young writers.

"We believe in the power of storytelling to inspire, connect, and empower young minds," said Reba Askari, Theatre Artistic Director at the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine, in a news release. "Through our Youth Play Festival, we're providing a platform for young playwrights to share their unique voices and creative visions with the world. We can't wait to see the incredible stories they'll bring to the stage."

The Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine invites young playwrights residing or attending school in the state of Maine to submit their original plays or musicals, between 2 and 10 minutes in length, for consideration. Co-authored works are welcome, provided all authors meet the eligibility requirements. There are no submission fees, and each playwright or team may submit up to three plays.

Winning plays will be selected based on their alignment with the core values of the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine: Curiosity, Trust, Community, Belonging, and Play. Selected playwrights will have their works mentored, directed, and performed by CMTM’s Acting Company during the festival on the first weekend in June 2024.

"We're looking for stories that captivate, inspire, and reflect the rich diversity of our community," said Emily Dixon, Theatre Production Manager at the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine. "Whether it's a tale of adventure, friendship, or self-discovery, we encourage young playwrights to let their imaginations run wild and share their unique perspectives."

For playwrights ten to fourteen years old, CMTM is offering a series of Monday workshops to help guide and support young people through the playwriting process. In this drop-in series, participants can bring a play they are working on already or come up with a new idea in the workshop. CMTM staff will help get the play ready to submit to the Playwriting Festival. Note that the 2024 Youth Playwriting Contest will be judged anonymously. Signing up for the workshops does not guarantee that a play will be selected. Visit kitetails.org/afterschool-experiences for more details.  

To submit a play for consideration, playwrights can complete the online submission form available at www.kitetails.org/playfestival or mail printed scripts to the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine, 250 Thompson’s Point Rd, Portland, ME 04102 ATTN: Youth Play Festival Submission. Submissions must include a cover sheet with essential details, including the title of the play, author(s) full name(s), date of birth, school name and teacher name (if applicable), mailing address, email, and phone number.

The submission deadline is April 15, 2024. Winners will be notified in May 2024.

For more information about the Youth Play Festival and submission guidelines, please visit kitetails.org/playfestival or contact them by email at theatre@kitetails.org.

About the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine: 

At the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine, we set the stage for every child to imagine and learn through play. We celebrate the joyful exploration of childhood at our award-winning and vibrant three-story destination in Portland, ME. Home to over 15 interactive exhibits and a robust calendar of professional theatrical performances for young audiences, our goal is to inspire and delight children of all ages and ensure everyone feels welcomed and celebrated. With one hundred years of children's theatre history and nearly fifty years as a children's museum, we are recognized as one of the state's top destinations for fun, interactive play, and learning. Everyone belongs at CMTM. Visit kitetails.org to learn more and support our work.

About CMTM’s Maddy’s Theatre: 

The children’s theatre at the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine (CMTM) is the oldest continuously operating children’s theatre in the nation. Lovingly named “Maddy’s Theatre,” the theatre is 89 seats and equipped with a teaching tech booth, a soundproof viewing gallery, its own dedicated lobby, and a green room and workshop backstage. To learn more, volunteer, enroll in afterschool programs and workshops, and visit kitetails.org/maddys-theatre.