Adventure Stage Chicago's Young Playwright for Change Finalist Honored with National Prize & Readings

Adventure Stage Chicago (ASC), the participatory arts program of Northwestern Settlement (the Settlement), announces Midwest regional finalist Fletcher Fraher's The Principle as the national winner of the 4th Annual Young Playwrights for Change competition, presented by Theatre for Young Audiences/USA (TYA/USA) and the American Alliance for Theatre and Education (AATE).

This year's theme was, "Empathy in Action: Combating Bullying," and Adventure Stage Chicago again served as regional host, inviting middle-school playwrights (grades 6-8) to take part in theatre and playwriting workshops and submit 10-minute plays. Fraher's The Principle will receive a staged reading at TYA/USA's One Theatre World 2017 conference in May. ASC's four regional finalists will have their works read on May 13th at the Vittum Theater, 1012 N. Noble St. Tickets are free and can be reserved at adventurestage.org or by calling 773-342-4141.

About the Finalists
Fletcher Fraher, The Principle
Phillip Nguyen, Bullying is Not Okay
Jason Park, Why Me?
Megan Albania, The Things Left Unsaid

About Theatre for Young Audiences/USA and One Theatre World

Founded in 1965, TYA/USA is the United States Center for the International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People (ASSITEJ), and a national membership organization that strengthens the artistic and cultural impact of theatre for young audiences by empowering, connecting, and inspiring our members - thereby fostering a global appreciation of the field's excellence.

Theatre for Young Audiences/USA (TYA/USA), is a national service organization whose mission is to promote the power of professional theatre for young audiences through excellence, collaboration, and innovation across cultural and international boundaries. Founded in 1965 as ASSITEJ/USA, TYA/USA is the only theatre organization in the United States which has the development of professional theatre for young audiences and international exchange as its primary mandates.

One Theatre World is the most significant gathering of theatre for young audiences professionals in North America presented by Theatre for Young Audiences/USA, featuring performances, juried breakout sessions (workshops and discussions), master classes, a keynote address, special events, and networking opportunities.

www.tyausa.org
www.OTW2017.org
About the American Alliance for Theatre and Education
The American Alliance for Theatre & Education serves and inspires a growing collective of theatre artists, educators, and scholars committed to transforming young people and communities through the theatre arts. The worth of a civilization is measured by its ability to meet the needs of its youth. We envision a world where every child has access to drama and theatre; where every city has a theatre for young audiences; where every community has a youth theatre; where every school has a theatre arts curriculum. We envision a time when the full spectrum of the theatre arts becomes a pervasive part of our landscape. We celebrate the courage and creativity of those artists and educators who do this work even as we connect, inspire, and support them in their profession.

www.aate.com

About Northwestern Settlement and Adventure Stage Chicago:
Northwestern Settlement nurtures, educates and inspires children and families across Chicago. The Settlement's success results from a commitment to treating every person who enters its doors with dignity and respect, while supporting them with transformational programming designed to disrupt generational poverty. The Settlement has led the way in innovative programming by offering residential science and environmental education for inner-city youth, launching successful charter schools, and adding a theater so children and teens have a forum for expressing their life experiences.

The Settlement's Adventure Stage Chicago (ASC) is one of the only theaters in Chicago to develop and present works specifically for the pre-teen and teenage audience. ASC also offers: Neighborhood Bridges, the in-classroom arts residency program; Trailblazers, a youth mentoring arts program; summer drama camps; and drama instruction in the Settlement's Rowe Elementary School.

Adventure Stage Chicago is a member of IPAY (International Performing Arts for Youth), League of Chicago Theatres, Theatre Communications Group (TCG), and TYA/USA.

www.northwesternsettlement.org
www.adventurestage.org