News Summary
Los Angeles’ Blank Theatre is hosting the 33rd Nationwide Young Playwrights Festival from July 10 to August 3, showcasing talented playwrights aged 16 to 19. Twelve diverse plays from six states will be featured, highlighting creativity and artistic expression among youth. The festival has gained support from various cultural organizations, emphasizing its importance in promoting the arts. Additionally, the event aims to provide a platform for young voices and foster appreciation for theatre in audiences across the nation.
Los Angeles, CA – The Blank Theatre’s Nationwide Young Playwrights Festival (YPF) is set to celebrate its 33rd anniversary, showcasing the remarkable talents of young playwrights from across the country. The festival will be held from July 10 to August 3 at the Skylight Theatre in the vibrant neighborhood of Los Feliz, Los Angeles.
This year, twelve exceptional plays have been selected from a pool of submissions made by playwrights aged 16 to 19. The selected works represent a diverse range of perspectives from six different states, highlighting the creativity and artistic expression of today’s youth.
Winning Plays and Playwrights
The winning entries for the festival include:
- “Chess in the Park” by Max Leventon, age 17, Greenwich, CT (two-time winner)
- “Revolutionary” by Maya Rosen, age 19, Holliston, MA
- “Noor-Eh-Man (My Light)” by Keya Mehta, age 16, Glenmont, NY
- “Spelled Out” by Mina Feldman, age 18, Cambridge, MA
- “The New World” by Everett Johnson, age 17, Dallas, TX
- “Less is More” by Leo Eigen, age 17, New York, NY (three-time winner)
- “A Bathroom Eulogy” by Sara Alanis Morales, age 19, Stanford, CA
- “Party Princess” by Anna Parker, age 17, Houston, TX (three-time winner)
- “Headlines and Jail Cells” by Rix Zioueche, age 17, Brooklyn, NY
- “Four Simple Rules for Surviving the Night in West Hollywood” by Oliver Shane, age 18, Jupiter, FL
- “Dr. Mr. Science Boy” by Audrey Hunter, age 19, Dallas, TX (three-time winner)
- “Red Letter Eulogy,” book and lyrics by Gianni Ly and music by Anh Vo, both age 18, San Diego, CA
Selection Committee and Support
The selection committee for the YPF consists of various professionals within the theatre industry, ensuring that the chosen works embody not only creativity but also artistic quality. Mentors, directors, and casting announcements are expected to follow in the upcoming weeks, further enriching the experience for the selected playwrights.
This year’s festival has garnered support from multiple organizations, including the Department of Cultural Affairs – City of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles County Department of Arts & Culture, among several foundations. Their sponsorship underscores the festival’s role in promoting cultural engagement and the arts in the community.
Significance of the Festival
The Young Playwrights Festival aims to provide a platform for young voices, encouraging creative expression in a professional setting. The festival not only showcases nascent talent but also fosters an appreciation for theatre in audiences nationwide.
In related events within the Los Angeles theatre scene, audiences have recently applauded the national tour of “Tevye in New York!”, which has performed at various venues, including Theatre West. Another noteworthy production is the Laguna Playhouse’s run of August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play “Fences,” directed by Yvette Freeman-Hartley, currently running until May 18.
Additionally, Blue Pen Theatre has inaugurated its operations with a production of “Stupid F***ing Bird” by Aaron Posner. Furthermore, the Ezekiel Theater Company is premiering a significant new play titled “To Be Liberated,” commemorating the 80th anniversary of Korea’s liberation from Japanese occupation.
Through these diverse initiatives, the Los Angeles theatre community continues to grow and evolve, engaging audiences and nurturing future artists.
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Additional Resources
- Broadway World: Tevye in New York Comes to Theatre West
- Los Angeles Times: Jon Bernthal at Ojai Theater Festival
- NBC Los Angeles: Hollywood Pantages New Season
- Secret Los Angeles: Broadway LA in Hollywood
- Beverly Press: Pantages Brings Broadway Favorites
- Wikipedia: Los Angeles Theatre
- Google Search: Los Angeles Theatre
- Google Scholar: Los Angeles Theatre
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Los Angeles Theatre
- Google News: Los Angeles Theatre
