Calling all Native writers and actors 25 and Under!
Submissions are now open for both the 10th Annual Yale Young Native Playwrights Contest, and the 5th Annual Misty Upham Award for Young Native Actors. As in years past, prior to the application deadlines we will also offer free online workshops in playwriting and acting to help folks prepare (dates and guest artists to be announced shortly).
10th Annual Yale Young Native Playwrights Contest
The Yale Young Native Playwright’s Contest is sponsored by the Yale Indigenous Performing Arts Program (YIPAP) to support the next generation of Native writers. We invite Indigenous writers aged twenty-five years and younger to submit written versions of their plays for consideration by Jan 15th, 2024. The winner will receive a developmental workshop of their play at the Yale Cabaret and $500 prize. Transportation and housing at Yale will be provided to the winner for the duration of the Annual YIPAP Festival (April 2025). Each year the YIPAP Festival consists of a workshop and staged reading of the winning youth play(s), alongside new plays by professional Native playwrights, and the annual Misty Upham Award for Young Native Actors. We are so grateful this year’s festival is being hosted by the Yale Cabaret.
Below, you can find all information for applicants to apply. Once you review the necessary information, please email your submission to madeline.sayet@yale.edu
Thank you for your creativity and passion! We look forward to reading and seeing your work!
For Playwrights Contest Applicants:
Applications are due: January 15th 2025
All submissions must be emailed to madeline.sayet@yale.edu
The playwright must be between the ages of 15 and 25 and identify as Indigenous.
Plays must be original scripts of no more than 120 pages and no less than 50 pages (this can vary due to structure, so feel free to email to double check eligibility) and written in standard play-script format with one-inch margins, 12 point Times or Courier font, all pages numbered, a title page, and character list. Plays must be in either Word or PDF format.
Front page of script must list:
- Title of play
- Full name
- Tribal affiliation
- Date of birth
- Home address
- Phone number
We look forward to reading your submissions!
Previous winners of this prestigious award include some of the finest Native playwrights working today: Tara Moses (Seminole), Dillon Chitto (Mississippi Choctaw, Laguna, Isleta Pueblo), Kinsale Drake (Diné), Tomas Endter (Lac La Ronge), Sierra Rosetta (Lac Courte Oreilles Chippewa), Drew Woodson (Western Shoshone), Charli Fool Bear (Yanktonai), Everett Ray George (Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe), Nicholas Martin (Sappony), Isabella Madrigal (Cahuilla Band), Truman Pipestem (Eastern Band Cherokee/Osage/Otoe-Missouria)and Reed Adair Bobroff (Diné).
5th Annual Misty Upham Award for Young Native Actors
The Misty Upham Award for Young Native Actors is sponsored by the Yale Indigenous Performing Arts Program (YIPAP) to honor Misty’s desire to uplift young Native artists and support the next generation of Native actors. The winner will receive $500, and transportation to and housing on Yale campus to be a part of the 2025 YIPAP New Native Play Festival in April at the Yale Cabaret. They will have the opportunity to be cast in workshops of new Native plays in development, and be honored as part of an award ceremony. Native actors age 25 and under are invited to record themselves performing a monologue to be considered for submission. Video submissions are due Feb 1st 2025 and will be evaluated by a team of professional theater artists. The review panel for the award has traditionally consisted of significant Native Theater Artists and Casting Directors, creating additional exposure for all applicants.
For the purposes of the competition, we have compiled a special folder of monologues for Native actors under 25 by Native playwrights such as Marisa Carr, Carolyn Dunn, Tara Moses, Mary Kathryn Nagle, Vera Starbard, William S Yellowrobe Jr, and Vickie Ramirez, with their permission. New monologues have also been added since last year’s submissions. (We are open to additional materials, but all submissions should feature the actors performing the work of Native playwrights.)
For Acting Award Applicants:
Applications are due: February 1st 2025
All submissions must be emailed to madeline.sayet@yale.edu
Actors must be 25 and under and identify as Indigenous.
To prepare your monologue submission:
Please email madeline.sayet@yale.edu to gain access to the folder of Monologue Submission Materials. We do accept all monologues 1.5-4 minutes long, but some of the materials in the folder may need to be cut down.
Please memorize your submission piece. If you are unable to do so, please still keep your eyeline up away from the script, so we can connect with your emotions through the camera.
Please do not attempt to edit together multiple takes. Treat this like a real audition.
Please choose a camera frame that suits your audition piece. We want to at least see your head and shoulders, but it could be to your advantage for certain pieces for us to also be able to see more of your arms/torso/movement if it’s a very physical piece and that’s important.
Do not worry about picking a piece that other people might have done, you are being judged only on your unique performance.
You do not need to over-emote to prove anything - the auditions are being judged on the clarity of the journey, moment to moment work, honesty and specificity of the choices the performer makes. Folks can win with a comedy monologue just as easily as a drama. It’s more important the text is clear, rooted, and the journey is honest, than any emotion be pushed.
Do not be shy about asking to read the play the monologue is from. It often helps the performer gain a deeper understanding of the monologue.