Arts & Entertainment
Two Stages. Eleven Playwrights. One Day Only.
Eleven artists across two sessions, from high school students making their debut to seasoned pros with serious cred.
Meet the Playwrights
With just weeks to go, we’re excited to introduce the playwrights behind the 2025 CT Short Play Fest — eleven artists across two sessions, from high school students making their debut to seasoned pros with serious cred.
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August 2
at The Crystal Theatre
South Norwalk
New Voices. Fan Favorites. Big Fun.
The CT Short Play Fest unfolds in two acts: an Afternoon Session spotlighting emerging playwrights ages 15–21, and an Evening Session featuring working pros. A celebrity panel will select one standout play from each session. The winner of the Afternoon Session will advance to compete in the Evening lineup.
Presented alongside the SoNo Arts Festival, the CT Short Play Fest is part of a full day of summer fun in South Norwalk. Book one or both sessions. There’s something for everyone in this all-out arts adventure!
Find out what's happening in Ridgefieldfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Afternoon Session: Emerging Playwrights
Ashley Diaz (Norwalk, CT)
A 15-year-old triple-threat performer and bird enthusiast making her playwriting debut with Pablo’s Adventure: The Prequel.
Audrey Hunter (Dallas, TX / Stanford University)
A second-year English major and seasoned theatre artist. Her play, Buy Teeth / Find Space, explores cosmic longing and dental distress.
Dylan Malloy (Aliso Viejo, CA / Emory University)
A nationally produced playwright, her surreal comedy, Locusts, has bite.
Ashton Mayhew (Norwalk, CT)
A junior at Norwalk High School, Ashton discovered a love for playwriting in his Dramatic Writing class. His first play, Due Tomorrow, is a nail-biter of Shakespearean proportions.
Anna Parker (Houston, TX / Yale University Incoming Freshman)
A YoungArts Winner with distinction, Anna brings Party Princess, a clash between a birthday performer and a strong-willed mom.
Natalia Randolph (Norwalk, CT)
A sophomore and aspiring screenwriter with big plans. Wrong Number is her first play, but definitely not her last.
Evening Session: Working Pros
Nelson Clark (Portugal)
A novelist, screenwriter, and playwright known for his sharp wit and award-winning work. His entry: The Greyson Scale.
Earl Crittenden (NYC/Florida)
A playwright, attorney, and former cable network television producer, Earl brings a sharp eye and dry wit to Rubbish.
F.J. Hartland (Pittsburgh, PA)
Two-time Samuel French Festival winner and a New Works Festival legend. Salt Water is his latest.
Dana Schwartz (Los Angeles, CA)
Writer-director-producer-actor and MADLab’s Program Director, with national credits. She brings The April & Mr. Bigglesworth Super Special Funtime Show.
Deborah Yarchun (NYC)
A resident playwright at New Dramatists, Deborah’s work has appeared across the country and in Canada. Her entry is Light the Menorah.
+ 1 Emerging Writer
The winning play from the afternoon session advances to the evening — performed again alongside this distinguished cohort to compete for top Fest honors.
The SoNo Arts Festival and the CT Short Play Fest. Art, music, food, and a little friendly competition onstage. It’s the most fun you’ll have all summer.
