How it All Works

Act One

Submit Your Play

Open to all Minnesota high school students who want to tell a story for the stage. Students submit a 10 - 15 minute one-act play or a synopsis of a play with sample dialogue. English and theatre teachers are encouraged to urge their students to participate. There is no cost to submit materials. Deadline: Jan 15, 2026.

Click HERE for required student and teacher forms and guidelines.

Act Two

Develop your Play

Six selected students will work with a mentor from the Twin Cities who will guide them to further develop their play: enriching characters and dialogue, strengthening plot structure, and bringing out intended themes they want to convey to their audience.

Click HERE for to view some playwriting tips that can help get you started.

Act Three

See Your Play on Stage

Witness your play come to life, directed and acted by local professionals. On June 27, 2026, these six plays will be staged for the public at Park Square Theatre in Saint Paul. As in the world of professional theatre, each of the six playwrights will receive a $200 honorarium.

Click HERE to learn more about what awaits you on Opening Night!

Who’s Behind it All

Young Minnesota Playwrights offers a framework for emerging theatre makers and writers to develop their voices as they tell their stories in association with theatre professionals. Through the writing and production of original plays, Young Minnesota Playwrights nurtures emerging artists’ growth while inspiring the next generation of theatre makers and creative thinkers.

Bert Goldstein is the Producer of Young Minnesota Playwrights and is replicating a program he produced at Michigan State University for 15 years. His collaboration with Park Square Theatre is vital to building relationships in the professional theatre community for the young playwrights who participate annually.

“One of the greatest joys of my forty-year career is the experience I’ve had to giving young people the opportunity to inspire us with their stories told through the lens of live theater. Working with Park Square Theater on this project elevates the process to an extraordinarily new level.”

Bert Goldstein, Producer

Park Square Education offers dynamic, hands-on learning experiences year-round that inspire creativity, build confidence, and foster a lifelong appreciation for the arts. Serving students from kindergarten through 12th grade - as well as college, homeschool, and community groups - our programs include engaging camps and classes, interactive workshops, in-depth artist residencies, and school-day student matinee performances.

“Park Square Theatre is thrilled to partner with Young Minnesota Playwrights to support nurturing and developing young writers in our state who are the future of the American Theatre. We believe it’s important that the voices of young people be heard and celebrated.”

Stephen Dimenna, Artistic Director