City Theatre Presents EQT YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL 2016

City Theatre is thrilled to again showcase original works by emerging young artists in the EQT Young Playwrights Festival 2016. Under the direction of City Theatre Artistic Producer Reginald L. Douglas, the festival features six professionally-produced world premiere plays written by local middle and high school students. Student matinee performances run November 30-December 9 with public performances December 3-4 in the Lester Hamburg Studio. In partnership with the theater departments at University of Pittsburgh, Seton Hill University, and Point Park University, a reading of three Honorable Mention plays will take place on Friday, December 9 at 7 p.m.

"We have an exceptionally talented group of student playwrights this year who are pushing theatrical boundaries and making bold choices in both style and content," said Kristen Link, City Theatre's Director of Education and Accessibility. "This year's festival promises to be extra exciting with stories ranging from the Salem Witch Trials to anthropomorphized birds and books to heartwarming stories of love, family, and friendship."

"The Young Playwrights Festival is a highlight of the City Theatre year. It is so inspiring for our actors, designers, and staff to work with these talented and passionate young Pittsburghers on productions of new plays that are full of imagination, craft, and creativity," said director Reginald L. Douglas.

An ensemble cast will perform all roles across the six plays. The cast includes Charles Beikert, Laura Brennan, Katie Esswein, Parag S. Gohel, Michael Magliocca, Alex Manalo, Becki Toth, and Michael Trimm.

The production team, under director Reginald L. Douglas, includes Hank Bullington (scenic and projection design), Madison Hack (costume design), Alex Stevens (lighting design), Zachary Beattie-Brown (sound design),Kara Sinclair (production manager), Ryan Looke (stage manager), and Mora Harris (script supervisor). A team of dramaturgs and literary professionals led by City Theatre's Director of New Play Development Clare Drobot have developed the scripts from submitted drafts to final rehearsal draft. The dramaturgical team consists of Julianne Avolio, Scott Barsotti, Jeanne Drennan, Annie DiMario, Mora Harris, and Tammy Ryan.

EQT YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL 2016

MIDDLE SCHOOL DIVISION

ENDANGERED HOPE

by Abigail Over

Keystone Oaks Middle School

A flock of rare Evening Grosbeak birds struggles to survive a harsh winter and encroaching human plans for the forest they inhabit. Thoughtful and compelling, Endangered Hope explores family, perseverance, and the dangers of climate change from a feathered perspective.

THE MAGIC PENCIL

by Julia Garhart & Brenna Sposito

Sharpsville Middle School

Can a curse be inherited? Ellison and Nicolette are best friends and classmates, but when a unique gift from Nicolette's aunt precipitates a series of strange occurrences, their bond is tested. The girls soon come face to face with a shared history that stretches back to the Salem Witch Trials in this taut, suspenseful play.

RUNNING FROM GRIEF

by Jacob Voelker

Pittsburgh CAPA 6-12

Ryan, an all-star cross-country runner, begins volunteering at a local nursing home in hopes of

bolstering his chances of admittance to the college of his dreams. He is assigned to work with the cantankerous Henry and the pair forge an unlikely bond in this heartwarming story about the

power of friendship.

HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION

DISCOUNT SHELF

by Cavan Bonner
Pittsburgh CAPA 6-12
The Discount Shelf is the last stop for unwanted used books. In this funny, imaginative play we meet a host of novels-from a text book to a crime fiction paperback-vying to make it off the shelf and into the hands of a new reader.

SIGNED, SEALED, NEVER DELIVERED

by Mehrnaz Tiv
North Allegheny Senior High School
A lively romantic comedy set in San Francisco, Signed, Sealed, Never Delivered introduces us to neighbors Adam Truth and Alex Truth (no relation). Adam, a struggling writer, and Alex, a gallery curator on the rise, are always getting (and reading) each other's mail. This leads to a series of mix-ups, mistaken identities, and missed connections, with a climatic finish at Alex's hot new exhibit.

THE SUNFLOWER

by Katrina Kudla
Moon Area High School
Julien is desperate to prove himself to his future mother in law, Basha. In an attempt to curry favor, he arrives at her pierogi shop offering assistance with the hopes of some culinary bonding. This heartfelt, entertaining play explores the meaning of family and the price of assimilation in one tiny Pittsburgh kitchen.

HONORABLE MENTION SELECTIONS

LIFE OUT OF THE SEA

by Megan Stafford

Fox Chapel Area High School

PUZZLED

by Olivia Wright

Lakeview High School

THE VEINS OF CREATION

By Sarah Tomko
Bentworth High School

PUBLIC PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:

MIDDLE SCHOOL DIVISION:

Saturday, December 3 at 1:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 4 at 6:00 p.m.

HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION:

Saturday, December 3 at 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 4 at 1:00 p.m.

HONORABLE MENTIONS READING:

Friday, December 9 at 7:00 p.m.

This is a free event.

STUDENT MATINEE PERFORMANCES:

For information on Student Matinee availability, please contact Kristen Link: klink@citytheatrecompany.org or 412-431-4400 x 225.

WHERE:

Hamburg Studio, City Theatre, 1300 Bingham Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203 (South Side)

Patron parking is available in the lot across from the City Theatre entrance for $8.

BOX OFFICE:

412.431.CITY (2489) or citytheatrecompany.org

TICKETS:

Single tickets start at $15.00. Audiences under 18 may reserve $10 tickets in advance for all performances.

City Theatre is now in its 42nd season. Located in the historic South Side, City Theatre is Pittsburgh's home for bold new plays, commissioning and producing work by playwrights including Daniel Beaty, Jessica Dickey, Christopher Durang, Michael Hollinger, Willy Holtzman, Tarell Alvin McCraney, and Madeleine George. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Tracy Brigden, Managing Director James McNeel, and the Board of Directors, City Theatre's mission is to provide an artistic home for the development and production of contemporary plays of substance and ideas that engage and challenge a diverse audience. CityTheatreCompany.org