2011 YPP Award Winners
For the past ten weeks, seventh grade students at Explorer West Middle School have been working with ACT Theatre in their Young Playwrights Program (YPP) as part of their drama curriculum. Across Seattle, 400 students submitted plays in hopes of their play being chosen for a production at ACT Theatre.Explorer West was one of two middle schools invited to participate in a mostly high school-based contest with 16 schools in Puget Sound, the Young Playwrights Festival. At the YPP Celebration Event on Monday (12/12/11), the top 47 plays were honored with an honorable mention and eight were selected for a full production at ACT Theatre.
Winning in the top eight was, Finnley Kafer, for her play, “The Trial of the Wolf and the Three Little Pigs”. Her play will be produced March 15 – 17, 2012 at ACT Theatre.
Earning an honorable mention was Jackson Rockowitz for his play, “The Epic Story of Snuffles the Goat Farmer”.
At the awards ceremony, Darryl Smith, Deputy Mayor of Seattle, spoke about the importance of Art in Schools. The keynote address, “When Life Falls Apart, Make Art”, was given by, Genius Award Nominee and local Playwright, Stephanie Timm.
Congratulations to the entire Explorer West seventh grade for completing this program – they have become true playwrights. Many more of their plays will be used in the annual school show this year too: the Explorer West First Play Performances, April 11 – 12, 2012.
