VSA Playwright Discovery Program

Scholarship Sponsored by Kennedy Center

Overview

Young writers with disabilities who are enrolled in high school are invited to submit a ten-minute script for a career development program. Submissions must be original, individual work and are reviewed by a panel of theater, film, and television professionals. Winners receive access to virtual and in-person workshops, mentorship, script development support, and networking opportunities. The program accepts scripts on any topic, including stories about the disability experience.

Description: Ten-minute scripts (approximately eight to ten pages) may be submitted as written, video, or audio files and should be structurally complete with a beginning, middle, and end.

• Open to high school students with documented disabilities
• Focus on career development: workshops, mentorship, and networking
• Submissions accepted in written, video, or audio formats

Eligibility

Applicants must be high school students with a documented disability, generally ages 14–19, and enrolled in high school on Thursday, November 19, 2026. The competition is open to U.S. and international applicants, but all submissions must be in English or ASL. Previous applicants may reapply until they win or age out; an individual may win only once. Finalists must provide proof of age and disability, U.S. applicants must show Right to Work documentation, and winners must agree to publicly disclose their disability for program materials and appearances.

Eligibility: Winners are required to attend all program workshops—virtual dates: March 13, April 3, May 1, and June 5, 2027; in-person dates: July 11–15, 2027—to remain eligible for the award.

• Must be a documented student with a disability
• Open internationally, but submissions must be English or ASL
• Proof of age/disability required for finalists; U.S. Right to Work required

Selection Process

An advisory panel of theater, film, and television professionals reviews all submissions and assists with selection of finalists and winners. The panel evaluates each entry on its artistic merit and suitability for the ten-minute format. Selection decisions also consider the applicant’s potential to benefit from the program’s career development resources. The program team may follow up with applicants for documentation or clarification during the finalist/winner selection stages.

Selection Process: Professional reviewers assess originality, structure, and readiness for development within the ten-minute form.

• Reviewed by a multidisciplinary industry panel
• Evaluation focuses on craft, structure, and development potential
• Finalists and winners will be notified and asked for documentation

Submission Rules

All applications must be submitted through the program’s online application form. The form requires a script synopsis (up to 250 words or a 2-minute video) and a personal narrative introduction (up to 300 words or a 2-minute video). Applicants may submit only one script under their name or a pseudonym. Follow the form instructions carefully and supply any requested documentation if selected as a finalist or winner.

Submission Requirements: Provide a synopsis and personal narrative within specified word or time limits and submit only via the online form.

• Submit through the online application form only
• Synopsis: up to 250 words or 2-minute video; personal narrative: up to 300 words or 2-minute video
• One entry per applicant (real name or pseudonym)

Script Rules

Scripts must be original, unproduced, and unpublished at the time of submission; pieces that have had readings or workshops (but not paid productions) are acceptable. Submissions must be in English or ASL and conform to the ten-minute script format—a complete piece with a clear conflict and resolution, typically eight to ten pages when read aloud for timing. If a submission includes copyrighted material owned by others, the author must provide written permission to include it. Scripts created with generative AI tools are ineligible; non-generative tools like spellcheck are permitted, and the program reserves the right to investigate authorship.

Script Rules: Ten-minute, original works only; no generative-AI–created scripts; obtain permissions for third-party material.

• Must be original, unproduced, and complete as a ten-minute piece
• Accepted languages: English or ASL
• No generative AI; third-party content requires written permission