Meet the Playwrights of CMTM's 2025 Youth Playwriting Festival
At the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine, we believe young voices have the power to move, delight, and inspire us all. That’s why we’re so proud to present the 2025 Youth Playwriting Festival—an annual celebration of original plays written by young people for a family audience. These plays are filled with heart, humor, imagination, and truth — and they’ll be brought to life by our company of actors in Maddy’s Theatre this spring, May 31–June 1.
Get to know the incredible young playwrights whose stories will take center stage this year!
Ben Callaway
Playwright: Ben Callaway
Play: “June Goose Part 2: Love and Hunger”
Ben (he/him/his) is the playwright who wrote “June Goose and her Excessive Appetite,” the previous and first play in this series. He started writing and telling stories at the age of nine. Currently, he is working on his first very long novel. He lives in Westbrook, Maine, with his parents, brother, and cat, who will be 2 years old in a few months. “June Goose II, Love and Hunger” is the second play in this 3-part series. “I wrote this play because one day, when I was at Maddy’s Theatre, someone asked me if I was going to write a second June Goose play. I did! They suggested that June Goose should have a goose boyfriend, otherwise known as a ‘ganderfriend’, because a male goose is called a gander. I accepted it, so I added a second goose that also goes crazy like JG!” “Break a leg,” everyone! Good luck with part DEUX!
Zuri Carr
Playwright: Zuri Carr
Play: “Betty’s Lemonade”
Zuri (she/her) is thrilled to be a part of the Youth Playwriting Festival (YPF) at the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine. Most recently, Zuri appeared on stage as Lisa in “Corduroy" and as a playwright and actor in last year's YPF. Outside of the theatre, she loves acting, creative thinking, cooking, and playing sports. She is also a dedicated vegan with a strong commitment to animal rights.
Elias Emerson
Playwright: Elias Emerson
Play: “The O.T. Group”
Elias (he/him) is a seventh grader at Fiddlehead School. His favorite thing to do is write plays, and he’s so grateful to have “The O.T. Group” as the third play he’s written to be performed. When he isn’t writing plays, he’s commonly performing in them. Most recently, Elias performed as Christopher Robin in the CMTM production of “Winnie-the-Pooh” and the Duke of Weselton in “Frozen.” When he isn’t acting or writing, he’s reading and coming up with ideas for new plays.
Merritt Holman
Playwright: Merritt Holman
Play: “First Day Dream”
Merritt (she/her) is a Junior at Deering High School in Portland, Maine. She has been with CMTM since she was a young child and is now thrilled to be a part of the Theatre Team for this next season of shows! Merritt was the playwright of “Growing Together” for the Youth Playwriting Festival last year and is excited to share her play, “First Day Dream,” with you this year! Merritt also recently appeared as Twinkebell in “Sources of Light,” one of the many short plays at the Centennial Celebration. Over the past three seasons, she also worked as Assistant Stage Manager or Deck Captain for shows. Some of her favorites include “Gruff,” “Winnie the Pooh,” and “Go, Dog. Go!,” “Corduroy,” “Red Riding Hood,” “Knuffle Bunny,” “Pete the Cat” and so many more! She looks forward to continuing her journey on the CMTM Theatre Team for this upcoming season.
Sonia Moran
Playwright: Sonia Moran
Play: “The Clock and The Sailboat”
Sonia (she/her) is very excited to be part of the 2025 Youth Playwriting Festival! Sonia has already written a book called Into the Wind Out of the Fire, but this will be the first play she has ever written to be performed. Sonia has participated in many classes and camps at both the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine and Stages Youth Theatre. She goes to school at The Friends School of Portland. In her free time, Sonia enjoys arts and crafts, reading, writing, and playing games with her friends.
Pearl Rockers
Playwright: Pearl Rockers
Play: “The Storm”
Pearl is a 2nd grader at Pond Cove Elementary School in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. She is very excited to have her play “The Storm” featured in the 2025 Youth Playwriting Festival. Previous writing credits include “The Bush Creature”, which was included in CMTM’s 2023 Youth Playwright Festival. In addition to writing plays, Pearl loves to dance, play softball, and travel the world. She can't wait to share her work with you!
Angelina Skinner
Playwright: Angelina Skinner
Play: “Unicorn Dreams”
Angelina is a first-grade student at Sebago Elementary School in Sebago, Maine. She is very excited to have her first play, “Unicorn Dreams,” performed during the 2025 Youth Playwriting Festival at the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine. Angelina has written stories for her family and in school, but this will be the first time one of her stories has been produced for the stage. Without CMTM and their unwavering support of the arts and their commitment to learning through play, Angelina would not have been able to complete this project, so thank you to everyone at the Museum & Theatre who has helped shape this inquisitive 7-year-old into the girl she is today. When Angelina is not going to the theater to see Broadway shows, ballets, or local theater productions, she loves to dance, play lacrosse, and read. Angelina would like to thank her Mom, Dad, and brother Jonas for their love and support.
Ruthie Zaninelli