David Snider, producing artistic director of the Young Playwright’s Theater since 2005, believes that many future playwrights are currently students in Greater Washington schools and participants in the YPT In-School and After-School programs, the Summer Playwriting Series and the Playwrights in Residence program.
“We’re the only professional theater in the D.C. area dedicated to arts education,” he says. “Every penny goes into the classroom to teach students how to express themselves. Our In-School programs are six months long and focus on character creation through monologues and themes.
“Currently we work every Wednesday with the entire 11th grade at Bell Multicultural High School in Columbia Heights and integrate our program with the English arts curriculum. At the end of the season, we look at all the plays written, take the six best, and produce them the following season.”
The YPT 2007 Express Tour consists of the best five plays written over the past two years. The tour will also visit many local classrooms to show youngsters from elementary through high school how their peers have translated personal thoughts and experiences into meaningful literature
The plays by the five budding playwrights reveal diverse writing styles. “Magnet Dude,” by Kyrtham Franco, a sixth grader at Capitol City Public Charter School, explores a superhero’s weakness through humor. “True Friends,” by Clare Mari Rock, a sixth grader at Francis Scott Key, Elementary in Washington, is a lesson in learning to get along with others.
“The Enemy Attacks!” by Margrit Winkler, a fifth grader at Francis Scott Key, analyzes the inner feelings of broccoli. “All’s Fair in Love and War” by Irene Wu, a junior at Wilson High School, proves that a woman can do a man’s job. “Who’s the Big Bad Wolf?” by Christian Blanco, a junior at Bell Multicultural High School, is a fantasy about a step-dad who becomes a werewolf when angry.
All the plays are performed by members of the YPT resident acting company. During the year, the actors assist in the classrooms and discuss the process of playwriting with the students. Once a play is selected. the student playwrights attend rehearsals and give the director and actors feedback.
In addition to the five Express Tour plays, YPT is currently performing “American Rice,” its third commission from the Smithsonian’s Discovery Theater.
“It was undertaken in partnership with the Asian-American League and developed over a period of six or seven months at Wilson High School,” Snider says. “The goal was to get input from Indian and Asian-American students about the issues they face. Patrick Crowley, area playwright/actor/director, created the narrative from scenes and monologues written by students.
“As they progress in our programs, the students put things they care about into their manuscripts. When they read them aloud, classmates will often recognize a feeling or situation they’ve experienced and realize that they aren’t alone.”
Young Playwright’s Theater Express Tour
» Venue: Kennedy Center Millennium Stage
» Time: 6 p.m. today
» Tickets: Free
» Venue: THEARC
» Time: 8 p.m. May 23
» Tickets: Free
‘American Rice’
The YPT original play for the Smithsonian’s Discovery Theatre, celebrates Asian Pacific Heritage Month
» Venue: Round House Theatre, Silver Spring
» Times: 10:15 and 11:30 a.m. May 8 to 10
» Tickets: $5 children, $6 adults, $4 resident members at 202-357-3030, or visit online at www.ResidentAssociates.org
