VSA Playwright Discovery Program

Scholarship Sponsored by Kennedy Center

Overview
Each year, the Access/VSA Playwright Discovery Program identifies exceptional young playwrights with disabilities from around the globe. Selected participants—generally secondary school students ages 14–19—receive monetary stipends, take part in a script-development curriculum, and gain behind-the-scenes insight into the theater field through exclusive workshops.

Eligibility
To apply, entrants must satisfy all of the following:

- Open to applicants in the United States and internationally. All submissions must be in English or American Sign Language (ASL); materials in other languages will not be accepted.
- The author must be a student with a documented disability.
- The applicant must be enrolled in senior high school (typically ages 14–19) on Wednesday, January 7, 2026.
- Previous applicants may submit again in later years until they either win or age out of the competition. An individual may win the competition only once.
- If selected as a winner, the student must be available for and attend every Access/VSA Playwright Discovery Program workshop event to remain eligible for the award. Virtual sessions are scheduled for March 28, April 25, May 30, and June 27, 2026. The in-person residency is July 12–16, 2026.

Finalists will be required to provide documentation verifying age and disability. Finalists must also be willing to publicly acknowledge their disability in promotional materials and during program-related public appearances.

Selection Process
A panel of respected theater practitioners and educators will advise and participate in selecting finalists and winners.

How to Submit
- All entries must be uploaded through the online application form.
- In the designated text box, include a synopsis of your play of no more than 250 words.
- If you need the application in an alternative format, email vsainfo@kennedy-center.org to request accommodations.

Script Requirements
- Submissions must be in English or ASL only.
- Scripts must conform to the ten-minute play format. A valid ten-minute play should contain at least two characters and present a clear beginning, middle, and end. Because time is limited, establish the central dramatic conflict quickly and resolve it within the remaining pages. Typical length is eight to nine pages; no submission should exceed ten pages. Reading your script aloud is recommended to confirm timing.
- Entries may be submitted as a typed script, or, where applicable, as video or audio files.
- Only one script per applicant is allowed, regardless of whether you use a real name or a pseudonym.
- Submissions must be original and unpublished at the time of entry. Plays that have had developmental readings or workshops are acceptable provided they have not been fully produced for paying audiences or publicly reviewed.
- If your piece incorporates material owned by someone else (for example, song lyrics, poems, characters created by another author, or stories based on other people’s lives), you must submit written permission from the rights holder to include that material.

Formatting and File Guidelines
- Include a separate cover sheet that lists the title of the piece and the cast/character list. Do not include your name, address, or any identifying information on the cover page or anywhere within the submitted pages.
- Use 12-point Arial font.
- Number each page of the script (do not number the cover sheet).
- Use portrait page orientation (no landscape).
- Before uploading, rename your file as the TITLE OF YOUR SCRIPT.

Deadline and Confirmation
The application deadline is Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.

After you submit, you will receive a confirmation email within 24 hours. Please check your spam or junk folder if you do not see it. If you do not receive confirmation, contact vsainfo@kennedy-center.org.

Federal Grant Notice (for U.S. applicants)
For domestic participants: this program was developed under grant H421F240164 from the U.S. Department of Education. The Department does not endorse or prescribe the practices or models described here and is not responsible for the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of resources maintained by other organizations. The views or content presented do not necessarily represent the Department’s policy or views. (EDGAR 75.620)