Course
The AreitoTaino Summer Youth Playwrights Program
APPLICATION DEADLINE EXTENDED – June 27, 2026 –
Program Overview
- Program Title: The AreitoTaino Summer Youth Playwrights Program
- Duration: 8 Weeks — 2 Classes per Week (16 Sessions)
- Target Group: Ages 14 – 19
Course Objective and Introduction
The AreitoTaino Youth Playwrights Conservatory introduces young adults to the art of playwriting through a creative, collaborative, and experiential learning process. Over eight weeks, students explore multiple playwriting styles, develop their own voices, and create original short plays. The program emphasizes inclusivity, ensemble building, and artistic confidence through writing exercises, peer workshops, and exposure to professional theater.
Each participant will complete a 5–10-minute play to be presented in a final staged reading. Students will also engage with guest artists and participate in creative reflection activities that connect their personal experiences to their writing.
Learning Goals
- Understand and apply key playwriting elements: character, dialogue, structure, and theme.
- Explore diverse playwriting styles and voices from global and multicultural perspectives.
- Develop an original short play through guided exercises and feedback.
- Experience collaboration with peers, actors, and theater professionals.
- Build confidence in creative expression, communication and public presentation.
Program Structure
Each week introduces a new playwriting style and builds toward the completion of a short play.
Every session includes:
- Icebreaker or Ensemble Exercise
- Writing Lesson and Style Focus
- Creative Writing Exercise
- Peer Sharing or Workshop
- Creative Pedagogy Tool (guest artist, field trip, or collaborative activity)
Weekly Syllabus
Week 1 – Foundations of Storytelling & Ensemble Building
Focus: Introduction to playwriting and ensemble trust
Style: Realism
Session 1:
- Icebreaker: Name & Gesture Circle
- Lesson: What makes a story theatrical? Elements of drama (character, conflict, setting).
- Exercise: “A Moment of Change” — write a short scene where something shifts.
- Creative Tool: Group Story Circle — build a story one line at a time.
Session 2:
- Icebreaker: Two Truths and a Theatrical Lie
- Lesson: Realism and authentic dialogue.
- Exercise: Write a two-character scene based on a real-life conversation.
- Creative Tool: Guest playwright visit — discussion on writing from life.
Week 2 – Character and Dialogue
Focus: Building believable characters and dynamic dialogue
Style: Naturalism
Session 3:
- Icebreaker: Character Walks
- Lesson: Character motivation, objectives, and relationships.
- Exercise: “Hot Seat” — interview your character as if they were real.
- Creative Tool: Character collage — create visual boards for your main character.
Session 4:
- Icebreaker: The Object Monologue
- Lesson: Dialogue as action and subtext.
- Exercise: Write a scene where one character hides a secret.
- Creative Tool: Peer feedback circle — share and discuss scenes.
Week 3 – Structure and Conflict
Focus: How plays move and build tension
Style: Expressionism
Session 5:
- Icebreaker: The “What If” Game
- Lesson: Dramatic structure — beginning, middle, end; rising action and climax.
- Exercise: Outline a short play using a three-act or episodic structure.
- Creative Tool: Script study — read excerpts from Machinal by Sophie Treadwell.
Session 6:
- Icebreaker: Emotional Statues
- Lesson: Expressionism and emotional truth.
- Exercise: Write a monologue expressing an internal emotion through imagery.
- Creative Tool: Guest dramaturg leads feedback on outlines.
Week 4 – Theme and Voice
Focus: Discovering personal voice and thematic depth
Style: Poetic / Symbolist Theatre
Session 7:
- Icebreaker: Collaborative Poem
- Lesson: Theme vs. message — what the play is about vs. what it says.
- Exercise: Write a poetic monologue inspired by a color, sound, or memory.
- Creative Tool: Group discussion on For Colored Girls… by Ntozake Shange.
Session 8:
- Icebreaker: Soundtrack of My Life
- Lesson: Using rhythm, repetition, and imagery in dialogue.
- Exercise: Rewrite a scene using poetic or symbolic language.
- Creative Tool: Field trip to see a local play or poetry performance.
Week 5 – Social Commentary and Collaboration
Focus: Writing with purpose and community awareness
Style: Documentary / Verbatim Theatre
Session 9:
- Icebreaker: The Line Game (shared experiences)
- Lesson: Research-based storytelling and ethical representation.
- Exercise: Interview a peer and write a short monologue based on their story.
- Creative Tool: Guest artist from a community-based theater company.
Session 10:
- Icebreaker: Tableau Challenge
- Lesson: Editing and shaping real voices into dramatic form.
- Exercise: Create a short group piece using real quotes or interviews.
- Creative Tool: Ensemble devising workshop with teaching artist.
Week 6 – Revision and Rehearsal
Focus: Refining scripts and preparing for performance
Style: Contemporary Hybrid (mixing forms and voices)
Session 11:
- Icebreaker: Scene Swap
- Lesson: Revision as discovery — cutting, tightening, and clarifying.
- Exercise: “Cut 25%” — remove unnecessary lines or beats.
- Creative Tool: Table reads with actors or peers.
Session 12:
- Icebreaker: Compliment Web
- Lesson: Collaboration between playwrights, actors, and directors.
- Exercise: Rehearse scenes with feedback from teaching artists.
- Creative Tool: Guest director leads rehearsal workshop.
Week 7 – Reading and Reflection
Focus: Deepening understanding of structure and story flow
Style: Student’s Choice
Session 13:
- Icebreaker: Word Association Warm-Up
- Lesson: Revisiting structure — how beginnings, middles, and ends shape meaning.
- Exercise: Identify turning points in your play and refine transitions.
- Creative Tool: Peer review of story arcs.
Session 14:
- Icebreaker: “Title Swap” — rename your play based on its emotional core.
- Lesson: Reading of 10-minute plays and discussion of structure.
- Exercise: Analyze the beginning, middle, and end of each play, even within short form.
- Creative Tool: Group discussion on pacing and emotional rhythm.
Recommended Resource for Session 14:
Backwards & Forwards by David Ball — a concise guide to understanding dramatic structure and how each moment leads to the next.
Week 8 – Breaking Down and Building Forward
Focus: Reflection, analysis, and preparation for final showcase
Style: Student’s Choice
Session 15:
- Icebreaker: Story Circle Reflection
- Lesson: Breaking down the idea of the 10-minute play — identifying core themes and emotional beats.
- Exercise: “Appreciate and Expand” — students exchange plays and highlight what resonates most, then brainstorm one way to deepen the story.
- Creative Tool: Guided analysis using The Playwright’s Guidebook by Stuart Spencer.
Recommended Resource for Session 15:
The Playwright’s Guidebook by Stuart Spencer — provides exercises for developing and expanding short plays into full-length works.
Session 16:
- Event: Final Showcase — Staged Reading of Student Plays
- Invite family, community members, and local artists.
- Reflection circle: What did you learn about storytelling and collaboration?
- Certificates of completion and group photo.
Program Outcomes
By the end of the 8-week program, participants will:
- Understand and apply multiple playwriting styles.
- Complete and revise an original short play.
- Experience collaboration with peers and professionals.
- Gain confidence in creative expression and public presentation.
- Build a foundation for continued artistic growth.
Recommended Core Resources
- The Playwright’s Guidebook by Stuart Spencer
- Backwards & Forwards by David Ball
- Playwriting: Brief & Brilliant by Julie Jensen
- The Playwright’s Workbook by Jean-Claude van Itallie
- Young Playwrights 101 (Young Playwrights Inc.)
- HowlRound.com — articles and videos on contemporary playwriting
Result
A culturally rich, inclusive, and experiential 8-week playwriting program that nurtures young voices, builds creative confidence, and connects emerging playwrights to the professional theater community through writing, collaboration, and live performance.
Sessions Schedule
All sessions will take place at the Jackson Heights Library, 35-51 81 St, Jackson Heights, NY. Before you apply, please read carefully the dates and times of the sessions carefully, and make sure you are able to attend ALL sessions.
All playwriting sessions are IN-PERSON (2 Hours Session)
July 2026
August 2026
Program Timeline
First Program Selection Cycle:
Program Registration Application opens —May 15 – June 27, 2026
Closes on June 27, 2026, at 11:59.
Selected Cohort Program Invite
“Welcome to the Program” notification virtual sessions with icebreakers, Q&A, and introductions to the teaching team and mentors. July 1 and July 2, 2026
Sessions Dates
All playwriting sessions are IN-PERSON (2 Hours Session)
There are 16 Class Sessions. The full class schedule is shown at Session Schedule.
Ready to see your story come to life on stage? Over eight weeks, you’ll join a supportive community of young writers, explore plays from across cultures and perspectives, and develop your very own original short play—with guidance from experienced theater artists. No experience required. Just curiosity, creativity, and a story to tell. Spaces are limited to keep every voice heard. Secure your spot today.