The Play Development Series bring together PYP students with collegiate and professional theater artists to present new student plays on stage. The 2025 series begins with a collaboration with the Community College of Philadelphia Theater Program. Don't miss a one day only staged reading of two new student works, offering insightful examinations of the ever-evolving concept of "The American Dream."
Tickets are PAY WHAT YOU CAN with a suggested donation of $15.
PROGRAM
Ghosts of Our Present
by Rut Pendygraft, 7th Grade
Ghosts of Our Present is a multi-faceted play centering around the choices we make and how they are affected by not only our past, but our perceptions of ourselves and the others around us. It explores the drastically different yet still inexplicably identical lives of two families that are forever affected by one decision, continuously haunting them all. It tells the story of what happens when who we think we are is confronted by the brutal reality of who we have become, a feeling that, eventually, can be fatal.
Somewhere Between Stars
by Julia Grasso, 7th Grade
Somewhere Between Stars is a play about loss, love, and what it means to be a family, under the strain of a chronic illness in their youngest child, Asher. Taking place over a series of hospital visits, the characters struggle to move through the strain of failing to connect and how to do what's right, always with the knowledge of what's coming just one step away...
by Rut Pendygraft, 7th Grade
Ghosts of Our Present is a multi-faceted play centering around the choices we make and how they are affected by not only our past, but our perceptions of ourselves and the others around us. It explores the drastically different yet still inexplicably identical lives of two families that are forever affected by one decision, continuously haunting them all. It tells the story of what happens when who we think we are is confronted by the brutal reality of who we have become, a feeling that, eventually, can be fatal.
Somewhere Between Stars
by Julia Grasso, 7th Grade
Somewhere Between Stars is a play about loss, love, and what it means to be a family, under the strain of a chronic illness in their youngest child, Asher. Taking place over a series of hospital visits, the characters struggle to move through the strain of failing to connect and how to do what's right, always with the knowledge of what's coming just one step away...
PERFORMANCES
November 20th, 2025 at 1PM & 6PM
VENUE
Community College of Philadelphia Bonnell Building, Black Box Theater
located at 1700 Spring Garden St, Philadelphia, PA 19130
located at 1700 Spring Garden St, Philadelphia, PA 19130
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 chooses the plays for a number of opportunities, including those that will be produced for public presentations. Those students are invited to continue to revise and develop their plays in partnership with theater professionals for production.
These shows were selected from over 700 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 700 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.
