YOUNG PLAYMAKERS
Epic ideas start with our youngest creators, and that nurturing the voice of emerging storytellers plays an important role in creating more vibrant, welcoming and creative communities.
With Young Playmakers Driftwood Theatre is setting the stage for our next generation of creative story-makers, providing in-class and intensive playwriting programs which encourage students to express their most epic and dreamiest ideas.
Young Playmakers supports student playwrights in a journey from ideation through to professional presentation of their work for a public audience.
Imagine.
Driftwood Theatre’s Young Playmakers program begins with our in-class Story in Action Workshop for students in grades 7-12. In these lively, hands-on workshops, students learn the building blocks of playwriting and a unique step-by-step process for creating their very own original plays. By the end, students will have all the tools they need to put their next great story into action!
Book a workshop with Driftwood Theatre today and unleash the creativity in your classroom.
Story In Action In-Class Workshops are 75 minutes in length and available for intermediate (grades 7-8) and high school groups (grades 9-12. Up to one class size (approx. 30 students) can be accommodated per session. There is a $275+HST fee per workshop.
Timeframe: Story in Action In-Class Workshops can be booked between November 1, 2026—March 12, 2027.
Teachers: Download a full workshop description, including Ontario School Curriculum connections, HERE.
Create.
Story in Action participants and other young playmakers who are passionate about storytelling can take their work to the next level at our Playwriting Intensive. Over six weeks, up to 8 young creators will participate in virtual group and individual sessions, exploring their craft and technique as they create a brand new 10-minute play.
Our Playwriting Intensive is for young creators from across Eastern Ontario, ages 12-18. There is a $350+HST fee per participant. Scholarships are available by application for students for whom the full fee represents a barrier to participation.
Timeframe: Applications for the intensive are due March 12, 2027. The Intensive consists of four virtual group sessions (90 mins/ea.) and two private virtual coaching sessions (30-45 min) between March 29—May 7, 2027.
Share.
Our Young Playmakers’ work comes to life at the Bright Ideas Festival. Following the Playwriting Intensive, participants are invited into a rehearsal process for their work, alongside a professional creative team of actors and a director. The experience culminates in a fully staged public reading; where the young playmakers get to share their work with an audience for the first time.
Timeframe: The Bright Ideas Festival will take place in Prince Edward County in May, 2027 (date TBD). Participants will be invited to join the creative team for in-person rehearsals (virtual participation is also possible).
For more information about Story in Action programming for young playwrights, send us a message at contactus@driftwoodtheatre.com
