ANNOUNCING HSPP 2021
Every year, Circle Theatre hosts an annual High School Playwriting Project to benefit local student playwrights
We are inviting all DFW Metroplex high school teachers to enter 10-minute scripts, written by their students, for evaluation by an experienced panel of judges. These judges read the anonymously-submitted plays, write responses for each script, and evaluate them based our our system. Circle Theatre adds up the scores to determine the top 10 plays. These plays are then sent to Texas Wesleyan University's playwriting class led by published playwright Connie Whitt-Lambert. Whitt-Lambert and her team will then conduct their evaluations and determine the top eight plays, four being the finalists, and the other four being semi-finalists.
Should COVID-19 allow, a staged reading of the four finalists' plays will presented on June 6, 2021. An award ceremony and reception will follow where the semi-finalists and finalists will receive a stipend, trophy, and tickets donated from local professional theatres.
Schedule:
May 3, 2021 - Deadline for script submission and accompanying materials
June 6, 2021 - In-person and live-streamed reading of finalists' scripts
September 2021 - Should an in-person gathering not be possible, we will record the readings and stream them
2021 Information + Materials
Sample Materials
Identification Title Page
Blind Title Page
** Please note, this does not need to be submitted separately, but should appear as the first page of the script.
Sample Script
Controlling the Controllable by Grant Goodnight
2020 finalist
Watch the 2020 Finalist Reading Series!
Megan
Warren
"I love that I had this opportunity to express myself in such a unique way. I was able to write an opinion piece on a topic I am very passionate about, but write it in a way that I am familiar with... I highly recommend that everybody try this experience if they are able to!"
Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts
Caroline
Speer
"The HSPP experience for me was super fun and challenging. I’m really glad I got to participate in something that could really test my abilities as a writer."
Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts
Olivia
Rodriguez Smith
"I absolutely loved my HSPP experience! I had never written a play before, so I was truly starting from square one. I must have started with 10 different ideas/concepts and at a certain point, I just began writing! My first draft was revised and revised and revised until I finally felt like I had something that worked. Getting to do HSPP ignited creative energy in me that I really love, and I cannot wait to continue with and improve on. I never would have imagined that I would find so much joy, excitement, and discovery in playwriting. I certainly would never have imagined that I would be chosen as a finalist! Thank you so much to Circle Theatre for this wonderful and unique opportunity!"
Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts
2020 HSPP Finalist Reading Series || TRAILER
Grant
Goodnight
“The experience of this project was very fulfilling! It made me realize that playwriting is something I love and want to do for the rest of my life!”
Southwest Christian
Waiting for the End by Megan Warren
Our 10-minute digital play reading presented as part of HSPP
Featuring: Savannah Elayyach + Octavia Thomas
Crossroads by Olivia Rodriguez Smith
Our 10-minute digital play reading presented as part of HSPP
Featuring: Alli Franken + Nate Frederickson
Boys Don't Cry by Caroline Speer
Our 10-minute digital play reading presented as part of HSPP
Featuring: Canali Miller + Joe Skipper
Controlling the Controllables
by Grant Goodnight
Our 10-minute digital play reading presented as part of HSPP
Featuring: Lee George, Kristen Lazarchick, Nicole Renee Johnson, Jasmine Mesre, Libby Smith
HSPP 2020 Semi-Finalists
Weeping Well - Madisen Barrera, Boswell High School || Teacher: Melissa Wallis
A Sight to See - Mary Caruthers, All Saints’ Episcopal School || Teacher: James Venhaus
When the Cards are Stacked - Abigail McCurdy, Southwest Christian || Teacher: Cyndi Woodward
House Guest - Mati Valadez, Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts || Teacher: Lindy Davis
