Yale Playwrights Festival 2026
The Yale Playwrights Festival (YPF) was founded in 2003 by Professor Toni Dorfman and alumna Laura Jacqmin. For over two decades, it has been a source of inspiration for writers, actors, directors, mentors, and peers. Every fall, students submit unpublished, previously unproduced one-act or full-length dramatic works-in-progress. Faculty readers select four to six scripts to be included in the spring festival. The author of each script is assigned two mentors—one from the Yale faculty and one professional writer—who work with the student playwright.
The festival culminates in a staged reading of the play before an audience. This year’s festival is on February 21 and 22. All performances will be held in the Crescent Theater at Morse/Ezra Stiles College (304 York St).
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21
11:00 am: Hate Circle by Cassie Watt
2:00 pm: Boys will be Bugs by Amara Neal
4:00 pm: Silent Extinction by Thomas Kannam
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22
12:00 pm: Violet by Reese Weiden
2:00 pm: Back to Bangalore (The Unpackers) by Aanika Eragam
4:00 pm: In Good Spirits by Elizabeth Shvarts
For all inquiries, please contact:
Performance Dates & Times
February 21, 2026 - 11:00am
February 21, 2026 - 2:00pm
February 21, 2026 - 4:00pm
February 22, 2026 - 12:00pm
February 22, 2026 - 2:00pm
February 22, 2026 - 4:00pm
Location
Crescent Underground, Morse and Stiles Colleges, 304 York Street
Venue Accessibility:
Venue lobby is accessible via elevators located near both the Morse and Stiles dining halls. Upper seating is accessible via main venue entrance. Facilities and stage level seating are accessible via a ramp to the left of the main venue entrance.
Patron Information
Yale is committed to the full inclusion of all individuals. ASL interpretation is available for patrons attending a production who are deaf or have hearing loss. To request accommodation:
- Students, please contact Student Accessibility Services
- Faculty and academic employees, and visitors please contact the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility
- Staff, please contact Human Resources Absence Management and Accommodations Services
Please be sure to include the name of the show and the performance date and time. Contact Daisy Abreu with questions.
Production Team
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