Echoes
Original scripts created by students — across genres, across New York State
The Echoes program for grades 6 through 8 is the largest middle school writing competition 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 45-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.
Following the performance, an awards ceremony recognizes the school’s featured writers, as well as others who contributed works of special merit that were not included in the show. All students who enter the competition receive a certificate of participation.