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Young Playwrights Inc. was created to: develop playwrights aged 18 or younger by actively involving them in Off Broadway productions of their plays; develop new work for the stage; insure that young theater artists are acknowledged by theatergoers and the profession; promote the arts as an essential part of basic education by helping to integrate playwriting into the pre-college curriculum; serve as an advocate for youth regardless of gender, race, physical or economic ability, or sexual orientation. So, you're 18 years old or younger and you're interested in playwriting. Or you're a teacher and want to encourage your students' creative self-expression. Or maybe you're a parent looking for something constructive for your kids to do this summer, or a theater professional or philanthropist (please?) hoping to make a dramatic difference for America's youth. Well, you've all come to the right place. Young Playwrights Inc., YPI for short, is devoted entirely to introducing young people to writing for the theater and for themselves. Founded by Stephen Sondheim in 1981 (click to read his remarks), YPI offers many celebrated programs for young people and teachers, and is a model for playwright development programs across the US and Canada. YPI is the recipient of two Obies, the NY Drama Critics Circle Award, the Margo Jones Award, the Villager Award, 20 Newsday Oppys, the Alliance for the Arts Schools and Culture Award, the Children's Theater Foundation Medallion, and the Jujamcyn Theaters Award; and was a consultant to the Presidents' Summit for America's Future.