The board chairman of Young Playwrights Inc., Alfred Uhry (Driving Miss Daisy, Last Night of Ballyhoo) is readying his staff for all the reading that's headed their way. The submission deadline for the annual Young Playwrights National Playwriting Competition is set for Dec. 1.

Winners of the yearly contest are brought to New York City for the annual Young Playwrights Writers Conference, a seven day event that ends with staged readings of the winning plays. While at the conference, the young playwrights enjoy workshops, seminars, and talks with artists like Lynn Ahrens, Carol Hall, David Henry Hwang, Chay Yew, Terrence McNally, Uhry, and YPI founder Stephen Sondheim.

The guidelines for submissions are:

•You must be 18 years old or younger (as of the deadline).
•Style, subject, and length are up to you, but collaborations of more than three writers will NOT be accepted.
•Original plays only. No screenplays, musicals or adaptations.
•You may submit more than one play. Scripts must be typed and stapled, with numbered pages. No email submissions!
•Scripts must be submitted by the author, not by a teacher or parent.
•The title page must list your name, date of birth, home address (including zip code and apartment #), email, and phone number.
•Please keep your original script and submit a copy. Scripts will not be returned.

Past winners have included Rebecca Gilman (Spinning Into Butter), Keith Glover (Thunder Knocking at the Door) and Kenneth Lonergan (This is Our Youth "Analyze This!"). Scripts should be mailed by the deadline to 2001 National Playwriting Competition, Young Playwrights Inc. Dept. WEB, 321 West 44th Street, #906, New York, NY 10036. Your submission will be accepted as long as the postmark meets the deadline.

For more information on the contest or other programs offered by YPI call (212) 307 1140 or visit www.youngplaywrights.org.