Local Teens Seize The Stage at Berkeley Rep

At Berkeley Repertory Theatre, local high-school students can see their names in lights – by participating in the seventh annual Target® Teen One Acts Festival. Opportunities abound for teens who want to explore acting, directing, playwriting, and producing – and now is the time to get involved.

"The Target® Teen One Acts Festival encourages young writers to develop ideas about issues that inspire them," says Rachel Fink, director of the Berkeley Rep School of Theatre. "Each year, a panel of high-school students selects two original plays penned by Bay Area teens to be performed, directed, and produced by their peers. Then the staff at Berkeley Rep mentors these young actors, directors, playwrights, and producers at each step of the process, to help them perfect their craft."

There are many ways to participate:

      * Write on! Young playwrights are encouraged to submit their scripts to the festival. Each play should be no longer than 45 minutes in length and may be sent by e-mail to teencouncil@berkeleyrep.org or by mail to Target® Teen One Acts Festival, c/o Berkeley Rep School of Theatre, 2025 Addison Street, Berkeley, CA, 94704. Submissions must include the playwright's name, age, mailing address, telephone number, e-mail address, grade, and school. The deadline for submissions is December 6, 2008.

      * But I really want to direct… Teens interested in directing should attend the free directing workshop at 1:00 PM on Saturday, December 6, 2008. Take advantage of this unusual opportunity to learn about the craft from Obie Award-winner Les Waters, Berkeley Rep's associate artistic director. From the students in attendance at this workshop, two will be chosen to direct for the festival. To schedule an interview, call 510.647.2974 or e-mail teencouncil@berkeleyrep.org before Wednesday, December 3.

     * Act out! Aspiring actors are invited to audition for the festival on Saturday, January 10 at 1:00 PM. Please come prepared with a monologue no longer than two minutes. Auditions are held in the Berkeley Rep School of Theatre at 2071 Addison Street in downtown Berkeley, right next door to the company's Thrust Stage.

     * Be the producer. Work behind the scenes with Berkeley Rep's staff to plan the Target® Teen One Acts Festival. This important position promises excellent practical experience to someone ready for the responsibility. Oversee workshops, organize weekly production meetings, track the shows and their progress, create and maintain a budget, and manage the advertising. Teens who are interested should call 510.647.2974 or e-mail teencouncil@berkeleyrep.org as soon as possible to set up an interview.

     * Or just enjoy the results: Everyone is invited to see the final show – written, performed, and produced entirely by teens! Performances of the winning scripts take place next spring at the Berkeley Rep School of Theatre. The shows are at 8 PM on April 3, 4, 10, and 11, 2009, with a special 2 PM matinee on April 5.

The Berkeley Rep Teen Council is a theatre youth group organized by teens for teens. Its goal is to foster the theatre audiences and theatre professionals of tomorrow by opening channels of communication between teens, theatre professionals, and the community at large while building a base for life-long learning. Through a variety of interactive programs, the Teen Council provides an opportunity for youth to participate in all aspects of the dramatic process: on stage, backstage, and in front of the stage through its affiliation with the Tony Award-winning Berkeley Repertory Theatre. Currently, the Council has more than 100 members including youth from numerous local high schools. For more information, call 510.647.2974, visit berkeleyrep.org, or e-mail teencouncil@berkeleyrep.org.

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