Teen Writers Fest at Spinning Tree Theatre

Spinning Tree Theatre proudly presents TEEN WRITERS FEST January 31 – February 2. Each of three original plays were written by Kansas City metro area high school students and began development in August 2024 as part of Spinning Tree’s Young Playwrights Program. Performances are at Johnson County Arts and Heritage Center, 8788 Metcalf in Overland Park, Kansas.

The plays began development in a rehearsal studio, with mentorship by professional playwrights. Youth actors joined the process, and an informal reading of each play was presented to Friends of Spinning Tree Theatre in August and September 2024. Since then, the young playwrights have continued to work on their scripts with guidance from their professional playwrights and Spinning Tree. The three plays are:

·       “Bitter Suite” by Gabe Baethke, a junior at Blue Valley North High School in Overland Park, Kansas. A young man is gifted a cello by his mother, a famous musician. Playwright mentor is Frank Higgins. Director is Anne Palmer.

·       “Caves and Cryptids” by Frankie Nelson, a senior at Allen Village School in Kansas City, Missouri. Welcome, adventurers, to the world of D&D! Journey with us as we dive in as both player…and character. Playwright mentor is Vicki Vodrey. Director is Miles McMahon.

·       “Playing the Game” by Gigi Vollenweider, a recent graduate of Lawrence Virtual School. Oliver returns to his childhood home to help his parents move. With the assistance of his younger self and his toys, he finds a deeper meaning of happiness. Playwright mentor is Sarah Aptilon. Director is R.H. Wilhoit.

Performances:

Friday January 31 at 7:00pm

Saturday February 1 at 2:00pm and 7:00pm

Sunday February 2 at 2:00pm

ASL-interpreted performacnes are Friday January 31 at 7:00pm and Sunday February 2 at 2:00pm.