2026 Emerging Playwrights
Description
In this virtual playwriting program, participants will learn the innovative playwriting methodology of master playwright and Off-Off-Broadway pioneer, Maria Irene Fornes (1930-2018). The Fornes Method is an embodied practice that includes physical warmups (meditation, yoga), visualization, drawing, and, of course, writing and revising! Students will apply the Fornes Method to develop an original 15-minute play.
KEY DATES
4 Virtual Workshop Sessions
- April 2, 4:30-6pm
- April 9, 4:30-6pm
- April 16, 4:30-6pm
- April 23, 4:30-6pm
One-on-One Meeting with Program Facilitator
- April 17 – 26
Playwright Revisions
- April 27 - May 1
Judging Process
- May 4 - May 10
The Emerging Playwrights program includes four 90-minute virtual sessions and a single one-on-one virtual session. Participants’ plays will be evaluated by a panel of professional South Florida playwrights, and two plays will be selected for performance during the Art and Culture Center’s Young Actors Young Artists 2026 Summer Camp. The selected plays will be announced the week of May 11th. Participants whose plays are selected will receive a $500 honorarium. An additional $500 stipend will be available to these playwrights if they can participate in a 3-week rehearsal process during June/July 2026.
The Emerging Playwrights program is presented by Hollywood Art and Culture Center in partnership with its resident professional theatre company Thinking Cap Theatre (TCT). The program will be facilitated by Nicole Stodard, PhD, TCT's Artistic Director, who is a professional director, writer, Fornes scholar, and member of The Fornes Institute.
This program is open to high school and college students throughout the state of Florida. No prior playwriting experience is required to enroll. Participants must be able to attend all 4 virtual workshop sessions. More than 1 unexcused absence will result in disqualification.