Student Playwright Reader's Theater
What is SPRighT
Next Gen is excited to host its second Student Playwright Reader’s Theater (SPRighT) competition! This year’s theme is “This is me” – a celebration of stories about who we are and how our differences are also our superpowers. This competition is open to all students in our service area (Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Emmet, and Otsego counties) in grades 6 – college.
Rules, tips, and more
- Submissions will be judged in three categories: middle school, high school, and college.
- Cash prizes (up to $150) will be awarded to winning plays.
- Scripts may be monologues or include multiple characters.
- Do not write for set or staging; these will be performed in Reader’s Theater style.
- As a general rule, each student playwright may submit up to three scripts.
- Please refer to the Call for Submissions document for all submission guidelines (button). Only entries that meet all requirement criteria as outlined in the Call for Submissions will be considered. Next Gen will host a special event – either a Masterclass or Showcase with Little Traverse Civic Theater actors – on Saturday, May 9, at 2:00PM for all those who submit a play.
- Entries must be submitted by midnight, Monday, April 6, 2026.
- Please reach out to Rachel Sytsma-Reed at rachel@greatlakescfa.org with any questions.
NOTE: Use of AI is not acceptable in this writing competition; don't cheat yourself out of the opportunity to express yourself in your special way. AI is NOT you, regardless of how much information you feed it. WE WANT YOU AND YOU ALONE. You are WAY more awesome than AI!
Call For Submissions
Prize Information
Participants are eligible for cash prizes up to $150, and all who submit are invited to a Masterclass and/or Showcase with Little Traverse Civic Theater actors on Saturday, May 9 at 2:00PM.
