THE MARILYN BIANCHI KIDS’ PLAYWRITING FESTIVAL (MBKPF)

Announcing the winners of the 48th ANNUAL MARILYN BIANCHI KIDS’ PLAYWRITING FESTIVAL

Dobama Theatre is thrilled to share that the following plays and playwrights will be honored during this year's Festival:

** Denotes plays that will be presented in the 48th Annual Marilyn Bianchi Kids’ Playwriting Festival performances at Dobama Theatre June 4, 5, 6, and 7th, 2026.

Abdourahmane Traore, **THE LEGEND OF THE MONARCH SWORD (5th grade, Columbus Intermediate)

Arav Pandya, **THE CLOCK STRIKES MURDER (7th grade, North Royalton Middle School)

Autumn Mariner, FULL MOON (7th grade, Eastern Heights Middle School) 

Braelyn Warren, Reagan Walker, Savannah Magic, THE STUDENT COUNCIL WAR (4th grade, Greenview Upper Elementary)

Bridget Cook, DEALING IN THE DOG HOUSE (4th grade, North Ridgeville Academic Center)

Claire Knirsch (4th), Lena Wilson (3rd), **PENGUIN IN THE BOWTIE OF ADVENTURE (Onaway Elementary)

Daniel Carroll, **FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY (12th grade, Shaker Heights High School) 

Eve Kulbanska, THE UNEXPECTED JOURNEY (5th grade, North Royalton Middle School)

Evelyn Savage, Jessie Thurmon-Reed, Santana Lawson, **FORKS INVADE SPOONLAND (4th grade, Mound Elementary)

Harlan Sadowsky, **EVE (12th grade, Shaker Heights High School)

Isabel Siegel, **A PLAY ON WORDS (12th grade, Shaker Heights High School)

Jacob Stepien, MIRROR (8th grade, North Royalton Middle School)

Kati Scheff, **THE REPUBLIC OF BINARY CODE (8th grade, North Royalton Middle School)

Lara Mansfield, **IN FLIGHT (7th grade, North Ridgeville Academic Center)

Lillyanne Barber, A NORMAL DAY WITH NOAH (8th grade, North Royalton Middle School) 

Makenzie Mcleod, JUST FIVE MINUTES (12th grade, Shaker Heights High School)

Sebastian Denys, ARON’S FIRST (AND LAST) ADVENTURE (4th grade, Columbus Intermediate) 

Zinnia Byrne, **THE BAD MAD COW (3rd grade, Noble Elementary)

Thanks and ever thanks to all the teachers who included the Young Playwrights Program in their curriculum, our fabulous team of Teaching Artists, to Lake Erie Ink, and most especially THANK YOU to all of these volunteers who made sure every play was read with care and curiosity:

Abbey Marshall, Abby Jarvis, Aditi Garg, Alejandro Martinez, Alex Minyard, Amanda Martin, Amy Schwab, Amy Smialek, Amy Weaver, Aseem Garg, Ben Pollizi, Barb Dragony, Blanche Valancy, Bryce E Lewis, Brian Keim, Bridgett Martinez, Cali Parey, Carson Betts, Chennelle Bryant Harris, Christopher Hisey, Daniel Telford, David Blanchard, David Hansen, David Munnell, Dayshawnda Ash, Elise Kuklinca, Emily Polcyn, Eric Coble, Eric Schmiedl, Erin E Dolan, Erin Horan, Erin McHugh, Erin D Moydell, Erin Williams, Faye Sholitan, Garret Oester, Graciela Fernandez, Greg Vovos, Hannah Storch, Heather Utsler-Smith, Jailyn S. Harris, Jean Martin, Jonah Raider-Roth, Julia Fisher, Kaitie Branton, Kari Barclay, Kate Atherton, Kate Smith, Katie Blume, Ken Keeney, Kerstin Vaughn, Kevin Brewer, Kierstan Conway, Klae Bainter, Kristy Cruz, Lauren Lash, Lainey Bodenberg, Lauren Fraley, Lena Chapin, Lorna Patterson, Logan Cutler Smith, Luke Brett, Lynna Metrisin, Maddy Schwartz, Maggie Creegan, Margi Zitelli, Matt Loerke, Rachel Barrera, Rachel Gold, Rachel Zake, Reyna Berry, Saffron Qaiyum, Samantha Cocco, Shelley Starhurski, Stuart Hoffman, Tania Benites, Theo Pavilich, Tim Keo, Travis Williams, Will Potts

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Since 1979 the MBKPF has been an integral part of Dobama Theatre’s mission to provide educational outreach programming. Our goal is to provide a platform for Northeast Ohio youth to express their thoughts, hopes, dreams, and creativity through the writing of original plays. 

The MBKPF was created in honor of co-founder Marilyn Bianchi after her passing. For over 40 years, the MBKPF has recognized talented playwrights in grades 1-12 and celebrated the creative voices of youth all over Northeast Ohio. Once students submit their original plays, the plays are read and scored, and select scripts are produced on the Dobama stage for the Festival performances in June. 

HERE’S HOW IT WORKS

ANY Northeast Ohio student in grades 1-12 can write and submit a short, original play to the MBKPF. It doesn’t matter what kind of school you go to - public, private, charter, homeschool - you are welcome to participate!

Plays must be the original work of the student submitting it. No adaptations or copying situations or characters from movies, TV, books, video games, or other plays.

Submitted plays should be no longer than 10 minutes when read aloud.

The play can be any topic or genre: comedy, drama, mystery, fantasy - wherever your imagination leads you!

Every play will be read and scored by at least three adult judges with experience in writing, theatre arts, and/or education. Scores are awarded on the basis of imagination, originality, and human values as much as playwriting skills.

Between 15 and 22 high-scoring plays are selected as winners every year.

Some of the winning plays will be selected for production on Dobama's stage for the Festival performances in early June every year.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Festival Dates:

7pm Thurs June 4th

7pm Fri June 5th +

7pm Sat June 6th

2pm Sun June 7th

+ The MBKPF Benefit Performance will be the evening of Friday June 6th (tickets $25), where the winners will be invited onstage after the show to be recognized and receive their prizes.

The Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday performances will be free and first come, first served with seating limited.