Original scripts created by students — across genres, across New York State

The Echoes program for grades 6 through 8 is one of the largest middle school writing competitions in the United States.

After taking part in a classroom workshop with our actors, middle school students from every participating district submit original material over the next several weeks. We receive as many as 4,000 creative writing pieces each year from students across New York State. We read each one, and from them select dozens of poems, songs, stories, and skits to weave into an original 50-minute production.

We bring the students’ writing—funny, thought-provoking, or heartfelt—to life with costumes and props, musical instruments, and characters from zany to poignant. The resulting show, seen in spring by all the participating grades, is unique and memorable, and showcases at least one author from every school that enters.