‘ENOUGH! Plays to End Gun Violence’: Amplifying Student Voices Through Theater

Gun violence is a pervasive reality in the lives of young people across the United States. From active shooter drills in schools to headlines that change communities overnight, the issue is impossible to ignore. Yet, how often do we truly listen to students—those most affected by this crisis? “ENOUGH! Plays to End Gun Violence” gives young people the space to confront this issue head-on through playwriting, providing them with a powerful platform to be heard.

Theater as a Tool for Change

Founded in 2019, “ENOUGH!” calls on teens to write 10-minute plays that tackle gun violence in its many forms. Since its inception, nearly 600 short plays have been submitted by young writers, six of which are selected annually for publication and performance in a nationwide reading event. These readings—hosted by over 140 schools, theaters and community organizations—have reached more than 14,000 audience members and raised thousands of dollars for local gun violence prevention efforts.

Participating educators and students alike have found the program transformative. As one educator from a past reading reflected: 

Why Students Write

Teen playwrights approach the subject from deeply personal and diverse perspectives. Michael, 17, wrote his play because ”this story needed to be told, and no one was telling it.” Another student, Gracie, 16, shared that “gun violence is an issue that is close to me because I lost a family member to it.”

Some students see “ENOUGH!” as an opportunity to experiment with their artistic voices while engaging in social activism. Mahira, 17, explained, “I wanted to test my skills with writing a play, but I also wanted to use my writing to say something that mattered.” These testimonials highlight the profound personal investment students bring to the project, as well as the urgency they feel in addressing gun violence through storytelling.

Understanding the Dimensions of Gun Violence

Gun violence manifests in many ways beyond mass shootings (Writer’s Toolkit, page 9). The Writer’s Toolkit emphasizes that it includes firearm suicides, domestic violence, police shootings, hate crimes and community-based violence. More than 27,000 Americans die by firearm suicide each year, including over 1,000 children and teens. And 58 percent of American adults or someone they care about has experienced gun violence in their lifetime. “ENOUGH!” encourages young writers to explore these varied dimensions, ensuring a comprehensive approach to storytelling.

The Selection and Feedback Process

Once plays are submitted, they are each read by at least three theater professionals—directors, playwrights, educators and performers—who provide thoughtful and constructive feedback to every participant. This ensures that all the young writers know their voices has been heard, an uncommon but crucial practice in playwriting competitions. After an initial round of review, 20 finalists are selected, and from this group, six playwrights are chosen by a distinguished selection committee.

This year’s 2025 selection committee features notable figures such as former Rep. Gabby Giffords, gun violence survivor and advocate; Jason Reynolds, bestselling author and former National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature; James Ijames, Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright of Fat Ham; and Karen Zacarías, one of the most produced Latina playwrights in the country, among others. These esteemed professionals help elevate the program’s mission, ensuring that the selected plays reflect a broad range of perspectives and impactful storytelling.

Community Engagement and Impact

“ENOUGH!” doesn’t just empower young writers—it fosters deep community dialogue. Schools and theaters hosting readings often extend the experience beyond the stage, incorporating talkbacks, resource fairs and advocacy efforts. One organizer described a particularly moving moment when a survivor of gun violence spoke at a post-show discussion: 

Other readings have partnered with local organizations to provide direct action opportunities. At one event, information tables were set up for suicide prevention, counseling services and youth-activism groups, allowing attendees to engage beyond the performance. These community-building elements solidify “ENOUGH!” as not just an arts initiative, but also a catalyst for social change.

Resources for Educators

For educators looking to integrate “ENOUGH!” into their classrooms, the project provides two comprehensive toolkits:

• The Writer’s Toolkit helps students navigate the playwriting process, offering prompts, guidance on structuring a 10-minute play, and insights from professional playwrights. The road map to writing a play suggests first brainstorming three potential ideas, refining one, drafting quickly, and then revising based on feedback before submission (Writer’s Toolkit, page 16). It emphasizes that a strong play should explore a clear conflict and raise the stakes meaningfully. 
• The Educator’s Toolkit includes lesson plans, discussion guides, and strategies for facilitating conversations about gun violence in a sensitive and productive way. It provides insights into the unique power of 10-minute plays, highlighting how they require a clear dramatic arc, a strong central conflict, and impactful resolution—all within a compact structure (Educator’s Toolkit, pg 10).

Both toolkits can be found at enoughplays.com/writing. Here are some additional resources:

• 2023 ENOUGH! Performance at the Kennedy Center—This flagship performance showcases the 2023 plays at the Kennedy Center and the exceptional quality of student-written plays. (two hours) 
• ENOUGH! 2023 Nationwide Reading Toolkit—The toolkit is designed to help educators and organizers make the most of their participation in the “ENOUGH!” movement. It includes planning strategies, community engagement ideas, post-reading discussion prompts, and additional resources to help facilitate meaningful conversations around gun violence. 
• TCG Conference Presentation—Led by Michael Rohd, a leader of work at the intersection of theater and community engagement, this conversation features “ENOUGH!” founder Michael Cotey and past collaborators discussing the program’s success in creating new opportunities for young playwrights, fostering lasting collaborations through its nationwide readings, and positioning theater as an 'inciting incident' for social change. 

How to Get Involved

Participation in “ENOUGH!” is open to schools, theaters and community organizations. Submissions for the 2025 cycle are open from Jan. 1 to April 1, and the next nationwide reading will take place Oct. 6.

Educators interested in bringing this program to their students can visit www.enoughplays.com to access toolkits, view past winning plays, and sign up to host a reading.

The Power of Student Voices

Gun violence is a reality that today’s students cannot escape. But through “ENOUGH!,” they are turning pain into power, grief into activism, and fear into art. As one educator put it: 

By supporting and amplifying these young voices, educators can help students engage with one of the most pressing issues of our time in a way that is both personal and profoundly impactful. Because when students speak, we should all be listening.