Two winning plays by local high school students to be performed June 8 at the Palm Springs Cultural Center
The Palm Springs Young Playwrights Festival (PSYPF) returns this June with a compelling blend of professional talent and student creativity. On Sunday, June 8 at 12:00 PM, two original plays—The Kellogg Murders and Seven—written by local high school students will be presented as staged readings at the Palm Springs Cultural Center.
The festival brings together prominent names from Broadway and television, including Tony Award-winner Gregory Jbara (Blue Bloods, Billy Elliot), Laura Marano (Austin & Ally), and David Lambert (The Fosters), to perform and elevate these emerging voices.
Festival founder David Youse, a veteran of stage and screen, says the event is “a thrilling intersection of mentorship and artistry.” The two selected plays showcase humor, depth, and bold originality:
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The Kellogg Murders by Peyton Taylor (Valley View High School) is a dark comedy where jealous cereal mascots launch a revenge-fueled spree, offering a sharp satire on branding and nostalgia.
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Seven by Kayla McCarty (Ramona High School) is a high-concept drama set in purgatory, where seven souls confront their defining sins—with only one destined for grace.
Directors Desiree Clarke Miller and Craig Wells lead the creative teams. The festival will be co-hosted by three past PSYPF winners, continuing the tradition of fostering alumni mentorship.
Event Details:
Date: Sunday, June 8
Time: 12:00 PM
Location: Palm Springs Cultural Center, 2300 E. Baristo Rd.
Tickets: $10 General Admission / Free for Students
Tickets Available At: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/6581051
PSYPF is committed to supporting creative writing in the theatrical arts across Riverside County by offering mentorship, public readings, and scholarship opportunities to young writers.
