The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center is now accepting applications for the 2024 Young Playwrights Festival, which will be held May 17-19 on its campus in Waterford.

The application process will remain open until 11:59 p.m. Feb. 1.

The annual Young Playwrights Festival offers students a hands-on opportunity to learn about dramatic form and structure as they experience the signature O’Neill play development process firsthand. Five featured playwrights will be selected to receive professional-level support from a dedicated creative team to develop their 10- to 15-page short plays.

This development process will culminate in a public script-in-hand reading of their pieces.

Additional applicants will be invited to attend the festival as Guest Playwrights and will participate in workshops and hear their scripts read aloud.

Applying students must be United States residents between the ages of 12 and 18 and currently enrolled in middle or high school. They do not need to have previous experience as a playwright.

The O’Neill strongly encourages local students to apply. Travel and lodging are not provided for this event.

There is no application fee for the Young Playwrights Festival and participation is free for all invited playwrights.

More information about the Young Playwrights Festival and its application process is available at www.theoneill.org/ypf.