Student Authors to be Honored at Young Playwrights Competition Performance and Awards Ceremony, 3/15

Eleven talented student authors will be honored at THE THEATER PROJECT'S twelfth annual Young Playwrights Competition Performance and Awards Ceremony on Saturday, March 15. The four prize winners will receive cash prizes and see their work performed by the professional actors of THE THEATER PROJECT at the 2 PM ceremony, held at the Cranford Community Center with the support of the Friends of the Cranford Library. Seven additional writers will be presented with honorable mention citations and gift certificates.

The Joseph Curka Prize received by the students honors the memory of Mrs. Marion Curka's late husband. Mrs. Curka is a long-time friend and supporter of The Theater Project, an award winning professional company whose next production, NICKEL AND DIMED, will be presented at the Burgdorff Center in Maplewood, March 20 - April 6. The Theater Project also presents free monthly readings of new plays by NJ authors at the Cranford Community Center, sponsored by Friends of the Cranford Library.

In addition to the award ceremony, The Theater Project is providing free tutorials for any interested entrant in this year's competition. Each young author has been offered a half hour script consultation with one of the adult playwrights and directors from the Theater Project. They will pass along their experiences with theater in general and discuss the challenges of playwriting. Young writers will also have the chance to meet with other contestants and the actors who are performing that day.

The goal of the competition is to encourage the next generation of theater practitioners and audience by honoring their work and bringing it to life. The Theater Project is committed to the concept that participation in the arts builds fundamental skills in reading, writing and critical thinking, crucial at all ages.

The competition was originally inspired by a generous donation from Bill Mesce, Jr. who will address the audience. Linden resident Mesce is an award-winning playwright/screenwriter whose novels have been published by Bantam Books.

This year's winners are:
FIRST PRIZE: Phillip Anastassiou, Tenafly, Bergen County Academies

TIED FOR SECOND PRIZE: Miranda Hoyt-Disick, Tenafly, Riverdale Country School;
Shira Kindler, Leonia, Bergen County Academies

THIRD PRIZE: Emily Donegan, Paramus, Bergen County Academies

Honorable mentions:
Emma Baxter, Randolph, Randolph High School
Alexa Derman, Westfield, Westfield High School
Maddie Grubbs, Summit, Hightstown High School
Paige Robinson, Montclair, Montclair Kimberley Academy
Tomas Russo, Fanwood, Union County Academy for the Performing Arts
Dennis Shteyn, Denville, Morris County Vocational Technology School
Elizabeth Treimanis, Allendale, Bergen County Academies

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