Pegasus Players to Present 27th Annual Young Playwrights Festival, 1/2-26

Pegasus Players rings in the New Year with its 27th Annual Young Playwrights Festival, an annual professional production of next-generation, one-act plays written by Chicago teens. The 2014 production features three new works by emerging playwrights. Performances are at National Pastime/Preston Bradley Center, 941 W. Lawrence, 4th Floor. Previews are Thursday January 2 through Saturday January 4 at 7:30 p.m. Press and Opening Ceremony is Sunday January 5 at 3 p.m. Performance continue January 10 through 25 on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. For tickets contact the box office at 773-878-8864, or online at www.PegasusPlayers.org.

The Young Playwrights Festival professionally showcases the next generation of playwrights, encouraging the development of independent, high-level thinking and enhancing an appreciation of reading, writing and cultural diversity. An annual Chicago tradition and the oldest of its kind in the country, it receives more than 700 plays written by high school students throughout Chicago.

The winning students receive $500, a full production of their scripts, and a professional playwriting mentor to work with them during pre-production. The 27th production will showcase the 2013 school year winners:

Alexus Williams, from Whitney Young High School, who wrote "Senioritis" under teacher Ian McCarthy. Her play follows a 17-year old fashionista who gets tricked into spending time with her grandfather and his cronies at a nursing home. Along the way, she learns about herself and the false nature of appearances.

Lauren Trifunovich, from Lincoln Park High School, wrote "The Diner" under teacher Ahoo Kosari. It's the 60's in small town America, and Betty has left Chicago so the family can help her raise her daughter. She's closing up at Frank's Diner when a mysterious man appears seeking refuge from the cold and rain.

Clare McKitterick, from Lane Tech High School, wrote "Fears for Fairy Tales" under teacher Molly Meacham. Five misunderstood fairytale characters reluctantly participate in group therapy in this comic spin on our favorite childhood characters.

Directors for The 27th Young Playwrights Festival include: Ilesa Duncan ("The Diner"), Lavina Jadhwani ("Fears for Fairy Tales"), and Rachel Edwards Harvith ("Senioritis"). The design team includes: Sarah Lewis Dalton (scenic), Jacob Snodgrass (lighting), Sharlet Webb (costumes), Mikey Moran (sound) and Jesse Gaffney (props).

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