Blank Chooses Plays For 19th Annual Nationwide Young Playwrights Fest

The Blank Theatre Company's 19th Annual Nationwide Young Playwrights Festival has chosen 12 plays by teenaged playwrights, aged 14 -19, from six different states. These plays will be presented by professional actors and directors in this year's month-long festival at the Stella Adler Theatre in Hollywood, beginning June 2, 2011.

"Ever since I acted in the first Young Playwrights Festival, I have always had a special place in my heart for these extremely talented teenagers, " says Blank Artistic Producer Noah Wyle. "The issues tackled, and the depth of emotion and understanding these kids have is remarkable. I wish I knew as much as they do when I was their age!"

This year's winning plays are: LOCKDOWN by Nicole Acton, Grandville, MI Age 17; LIVING BY NUMBERS by Lucy Portman, Interlochen, MI, Age 17; EISEGESIS by Nickolas Mecikalski, Madison, AL Age 17; THE ADVENTURES OF BOY AND GIRL AS TOLD BY INTERRUPTED MONOLOGUES by Alex Grossman, New York, NY, Age 16 and Rachel Kaly, Forest Hills, NY, Age 15; PLATFORM NINE by Rebecca Moretti, Los Angeles, CA, Age 15; WASH by Delali Ayivor, Interlochen, MI, Age 18; YOU ARE SO BEAUTIFUL by Layla Treuhaft-Ali, Jackson Heights, NY, Age 15; INK AND PAINT GIRLS by Emma Steinkellner, Santa Barbara, CA, Age 16; WALK TO THE VET by Cathy Mayer, Santa Monica, CA, Age 17; TANOSHINDE by Alex Nunnelly, Cambridge, MA, Age 19; LIKE A DOG IN SPACE by Aliza Goldstein, Jacksonville, FL, Age 19; and SPIDERMAN: TURN ON THE LIGHTS by Adam Brodheim, New York, NY, Age 17.

A panel of theatre professionals chose from plays submitted by teenagers across the nation. Winning playwrights are next assigned a mentor, and then a professional director who will help them hone their scripts for four public performances with professional actors. This year's mentors include Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award-winner E.M. Lewis, and television producers Adam Belanoff (The Closer), David Rambo (V, CSI), and Jeff Greenstein (Desperate Housewives). In the past 18 years, The Blank has produced 208 plays by teenaged playwrights. Eleven of those plays or playwrights have gone on to be presented on The Blank's mainstage, including Speech & Debate by Stephen Karam, a three-time winner in The Blank's YPF.

Additionally, many of the plays have been nominated for LA theatre awards including: an Ovation Award for Best Writing-World Premiere, and an LA Weekly Award for Best One- Act Playwriting.

"Alumni" playwrights are populating the nation's theatres and sound stages with their work. Many YPF winners have gone on to successful writing careers creating TV shows, filling regional stages, teaching writing to others, and founding regional Young Playwrights Festivals. This year, 21-year-old Adam Cochran (a two-time winner in YPF) was nominated for a Drama Desk Award in NYC for Outstanding Music in a Play.

This year's festival is made possible by The Harold & Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust, The Plum Foundation, Los Angeles County Arts Commission, and City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.

The Blank Theatre Company's 19th Annual Young Playwrights Festival runs June 2 - 26 at the Stella Adler Theatre, 6773 Hollywood Boulevard, in Hollywood. The performance schedule is Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 2pm. Each week's program includes three plays, and admission is $17 for adults and $12 for students. Festival passes, which are good for one ticket each week of the festival, are $56. Tickets may be purchased in advance online at www.TheBlank.com, or via phone by calling (323) 661-9827.

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