Temple Theaters and Philadelphia Young Playwrights present:
In partnership for over 30 years with Temple University, multi-generational teams of artists take on selected plays written by middle school and high school students. Bringing the new play development process to life for artists and audiences alike, New Voices is a glimpse at the freshest new plays written by the next generation of great writers, artists, and thinkers.
October 28th, 2025 - November 2nd, 2025
Randall Theater
Tickets are PAY WHAT YOU CAN with a suggested donation of $15.
While available tickets will be sold at the door, space is limited and we strongly suggest reserving your tickets ahead of time!
While available tickets will be sold at the door, space is limited and we strongly suggest reserving your tickets ahead of time!
If the performance that you would like to attend is sold out, please sign up for the waitlist below.
In 2025, New Voices will feature 9 pieces written by students from 8 schools in the Greater Philadelphia area. The selected pieces were chosen from more that 630 submissions as part of Philadelphia Young Playwrights` Annual Playwriting Festival.
Written by students, directed by theatre professionals, and performed by Temple undergraduate actors.
Written by students, directed by theatre professionals, and performed by Temple undergraduate actors.
BILL ONE
The Painting Game
by Ronan Purcell, 12th Grade
In the satirical comedy The Painting Game, one man struggles with his purpose as an artist in the extravagant and cutthroat world of art.
The Artist and the Muse
by Jubilee Kleinberg, 8th Grade
If you had to give up your life passion for the ones you love, would you? In The Artist and the Muse, this is the question Juliette and Louis grapple with as they travel through the world of Renaissance art, asking themselves how far they’re willing to go for each other.
The Garden of Eden
by Avigail Wus, 10th Grade
The Garden of Eden follows Evelyn as she recounts her past memories in a desperate attempt to understand where it all went wrong. Evelyn, through reliving the history of her relationship with Adam, struggles to pinpoint what true love is in a heart-wrenching story of life, loss, and learning how to move on.
by Ronan Purcell, 12th Grade
In the satirical comedy The Painting Game, one man struggles with his purpose as an artist in the extravagant and cutthroat world of art.
The Artist and the Muse
by Jubilee Kleinberg, 8th Grade
If you had to give up your life passion for the ones you love, would you? In The Artist and the Muse, this is the question Juliette and Louis grapple with as they travel through the world of Renaissance art, asking themselves how far they’re willing to go for each other.
The Garden of Eden
by Avigail Wus, 10th Grade
The Garden of Eden follows Evelyn as she recounts her past memories in a desperate attempt to understand where it all went wrong. Evelyn, through reliving the history of her relationship with Adam, struggles to pinpoint what true love is in a heart-wrenching story of life, loss, and learning how to move on.
PERFORMANCES:
October 28th, 30th 2025 at 7PM
November 1st, 2025 at 2PM
November 1st, 2025 at 2PM
BILL TWO
The Booth
by Amare Lamonte Robbins, 12th Grade
In The Booth, the line between your future and your present does not exist. Have some pie, blueberry or cherry?
I Believe You
by Cai Dunne, 9th Grade
I Believe You follows 16-year-old Everette who hasn't spoken in two years, making her the target of a vicious game trying to make her scream. As she finds an ally in an unexpected place, this coming-of-age story begs the question: how do you fall in love if you can't love yourself?
A Weed in a Rose Garden
by Samya Joseph, 9th Grade
How can you grow into your truest self when the soil around you is depleted? A Weed in a Rose Garden is a poetic piece about discovering gender identity and resisting a society that doesn’t want you to succeed.
I Thought I Was Saved
by Madda Larsen, 10th Grade
I Thought I was Saved is a love letter to all those who struggle with their queerness in the face of religion. Throughout the monologue, the main character wrestles and grapples with the idea of being queer in a community that simply does not accept that. Written in the form of a prayer, this work is a think-piece into the effect of suppression on children, and the fear that comes with fire-and-brimstone christianity.
The Silence That Screams
by Matab Abdelhalim,10th Grade
The Silence That Screams is a poignant meditation on the paralyzing guilt of survival, asking a haunting question: When peace is finally achieved, what is the cost of its quiet, and how does one earn the right to breathe free?
Death’s Door
by Marielle Miller, 8th Grade
Sometimes using your words is harder than you think. Catch a glimpse of a world you didn't know existed, a girl fighting for herself, and a pain we don't realize we cause in Death’s Door.
by Amare Lamonte Robbins, 12th Grade
In The Booth, the line between your future and your present does not exist. Have some pie, blueberry or cherry?
I Believe You
by Cai Dunne, 9th Grade
I Believe You follows 16-year-old Everette who hasn't spoken in two years, making her the target of a vicious game trying to make her scream. As she finds an ally in an unexpected place, this coming-of-age story begs the question: how do you fall in love if you can't love yourself?
A Weed in a Rose Garden
by Samya Joseph, 9th Grade
How can you grow into your truest self when the soil around you is depleted? A Weed in a Rose Garden is a poetic piece about discovering gender identity and resisting a society that doesn’t want you to succeed.
I Thought I Was Saved
by Madda Larsen, 10th Grade
I Thought I was Saved is a love letter to all those who struggle with their queerness in the face of religion. Throughout the monologue, the main character wrestles and grapples with the idea of being queer in a community that simply does not accept that. Written in the form of a prayer, this work is a think-piece into the effect of suppression on children, and the fear that comes with fire-and-brimstone christianity.
The Silence That Screams
by Matab Abdelhalim,10th Grade
The Silence That Screams is a poignant meditation on the paralyzing guilt of survival, asking a haunting question: When peace is finally achieved, what is the cost of its quiet, and how does one earn the right to breathe free?
Death’s Door
by Marielle Miller, 8th Grade
Sometimes using your words is harder than you think. Catch a glimpse of a world you didn't know existed, a girl fighting for herself, and a pain we don't realize we cause in Death’s Door.
PERFORMANCES:
October 29th, November 1st 2025 at 7PM
November 2nd, 2025 at 2PM
November 2nd, 2025 at 2PM
ABOUT THE PROCESS
Each year, Philadelphia Young Playwrights invites students to submit their plays and monologues to the Annual Playwriting Festival. Plays are considered by the Literary Committee—a collection of nearly 70 program alumni, artists, staff, teachers, and others—who read and write individualized responses to every play. Literary Committee members recommend a number of outstanding plays to be considered for further consideration by two additional groups of readers, Pre-Final Committee and Final Committee. At Final Committee, the panel selects plays and monologues for opportunities such as public productions, one-on-one mentorship, and one-day playwriting retreats. Students whose pieces are selected for production are invited to continue to revise and develop their plays in partnership with theater professionals as part of the rehearsal and performance process.
These shows were selected from over 630 submissions from 30 different schools to be a part of this production! Student playwrights have the opportunity to be present in the rehearsal process, and work with local professional directors and actors to bring their writing from page to stage.
These shows were selected from over 630 submissions from 30 different schools to be a part of this production! Student playwrights have the opportunity to be present in the rehearsal process, and work with local professional directors and actors to bring their writing from page to stage.
VENUE
Temple's Randall Theater, inside Annenberg Hall: 2020 N 13th St Philadelphia, PA 19122
Annenberg Hall at Temple University is easily accessible via the Broad Street Subway Line - Cecil B. Moore & Diamond stops. On-street parking is available and un-metered. Various campus parking lots maybe be available, prices vary.
Entrance is on 13th Street between Norris and Diamond.
Annenberg Hall at Temple University is easily accessible via the Broad Street Subway Line - Cecil B. Moore & Diamond stops. On-street parking is available and un-metered. Various campus parking lots maybe be available, prices vary.
Entrance is on 13th Street between Norris and Diamond.
MASK POLICY
For the safety and health of our community, masks are encouraged. We will have some available at the door if you need one.
