Palm Springs Young Playwrights Festival

Over the course of the last seven years, the Palm Springs Young Playwrights Festival (PS•YPF) has become a dynamic incubator for young theatrical voices in Riverside County. Every spring, our annual festival opens a call for play submissions from elementary through high school students, offering finalists mentorship from seasoned actors and directors, public staged readings, and a $500 scholarship to support their future in the arts. Each year, winning plays—such as the 2025’s *Seven* by Kayla McCarty and *The Kellogg Murders* by Peyton Taylor—receive a staged reading at the Palm Springs Cultural Center, where professional actors bring student scripts to life in front of a live audience. PS•YPF also fosters alumni connection through an advisory board that includes past playwrights, ensuring continued mentorship, community building, and career networking long after the festival ends. Over the years, the festival has partnered with prominent mentors, who guide young writers through script refinement and performance tools. Beyond the stage, PS•YPF amplifies student voices through blog announcements, festival galleries, and widespread media outreach—highlighting winners from Myrtle Valley High to Ramona High each year. Altogether, these efforts have created a vibrant, year-round environment in which young writers can develop their craft, experience professional theatre-making, and grow into a supportive creative network that continues well beyond the festival itself. The Palm Springs Young Playwrights Festival empowers its winning playwrights with a profound sense of confidence, creativity, and purpose. By guiding them through a professional production process, PS•YPF transforms their ideas into impactful theatrical experiences. This journey not only deepens their understanding of storytelling and collaboration, but also brings immense joy and validation, helping each young writer recognize the value of their unique voice and inspiring them to continue growing as artists and individuals.