THE MARILYN BIANCHI KIDS’ PLAYWRITING FESTIVAL (MBKPF)

Submissions are open for the 47th Annual Marilyn Bianchi Kids’ Playwriting Festival! Plays must be received by Education Director Carrie Williams by end of day on  March 3, 2025, at youngplaywrights@dobama.org.

NEW: Entry Forms are now available online! Fill out the form and submit your play HERE! Printable forms are available upon request by emailing youngplaywrights@dobama.org.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Since 1979 the MBKPF has been an integral part of Dobama Theatre’s mission to provide educational outreach programming. Our goal is to provide a platform for Northeast Ohio youth to express their thoughts, hopes, dreams, and creativity through the writing of original plays. 

The MBKPF was created in honor of co-founder Marilyn Bianchi after her passing. For over 40 years, the MBKPF has recognized talented playwrights in grades 1-12 and celebrated the creative voices of youth all over Northeast Ohio. Once students submit their original plays, the plays are read and scored, and select scripts are produced on the Dobama stage for the Festival performances in June. 

HERE’S HOW IT WORKS

ANY Northeast Ohio student in grades 1-12 can write and submit a short, original play to the MBKPF. It doesn’t matter what kind of school you go to - public, private, charter, homeschool - you are welcome to participate!

Plays must be the original work of the student submitting it. No adaptations or copying situations or characters from movies, TV, books, video games, or other plays.

Submitted plays should be no longer than 10 minutes when read aloud.

The play can be any topic or genre: comedy, drama, mystery, fantasy - wherever your imagination leads you!

Every play will be read and scored by at least three adult judges with experience in writing, theatre arts, and/or education. Scores are awarded on the basis of imagination, originality, and human values as much as playwriting skills.

Between 15 and 22 high-scoring plays are selected as winners every year.

Some of the winning plays will be selected for production on Dobama's stage for the Festival performances in early June every year.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • Submitted plays should be no longer than 10 minutes when read aloud. That usually translates to between eight and twelve pages.

  • Once you’ve finished your final draft, you and a guardian (if you’re under 18) click HERE to submit your play.

  • Yes! It doesn’t matter what kind of school you go to - public, private, charter, homeschool - you are welcome to participate!

  • Nope. Plays must be the original work of the student submitting it. No copying situations or characters from movies, TV, books, video games, or other plays.

  • Sure! Just make sure both your names are listed when you submit, and you should fill out separate Entry Forms.

  • As many as you can finish!


  • You bet! Plays can be any topic or genre: comedy, drama, mystery, fantasy, reality - wherever your imagination leads you!

  • This year plays are due by Monday March 3rd, 2025

MBKPF artwork by Kate Atherton