For the 15th consecutive year, Alley Theatre is providing young playwrights the chance to improve and expand their writing skills with its summer program, Houston Young Playwrights Exchange (HYPE). Six plays by local teens have been selected to undergo development in a professional forum guided by the Alley's staff, with the program culminating in a two-day public showcase of their work as Staged Readings.

One of the Alley Theatre's Education and Community Engagement Department's premier programs, HYPE has helped dozens of young playwrights develop their work since the program was started in 1996.