The annual Young Playwrights Festival is going on its 11th year at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center in Waterford, and Festival Director Sophia Chapadjiev proudly notes that two of the students who participated in past fests are now studying playwriting in college. One is seeing her work performed in New York.

And, Chapadjiev adds, youths who have applied to the fest before are doing it again, but this time they're doing it all on their own, without teacher or parent guidance.

More than 150 youths from around the country sent in submissions this year. Of those, five students were chosen to have their works developed:

[naviga:ul]

[naviga:li]Adelle Clark, Cutler Middle School, "Upon a Star"[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Natalie Frascarelli, Waterford High School, "The Feast of the Seven Fishes"[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Isabelle Pierce, John Jay High School, "The Bedroom"[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Owen Seltzer, Clark Lane Middle School, "Warehouse Whereabouts"[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Georgia White, Stonington High School, "Deliverance"[/naviga:li]

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All of the plays will be given public, script-in-hand performances on Sunday.

Beyond that, 16 students have been selected to take part in the Guest Playwright Observation program.

Chapadjiev, who is a playwright herself, says, "One of the most encouraging aspects of YPF is being able to nurture young playwrights with whom we have previously worked. Of the five Selected Playwrights for this year's festival, two were honorable mention Guest Playwrights at last year's YPF. I'd like to think it is a testament to YPF that their writing has strengthened and their interest has persisted."

Young Playwrights Festival, 5 p.m. Sunday, Eugene O'Neill Theater Center, 305 Great Neck Road, Waterford; free; theoneill.org.