Young Playwrights’ Theater Celebrates Anti-Bullying Month with Tour of Student-Written Plays

On October 17, 2011, Young Playwrights' Theater (YPT) will begin touring the 2011 Express Tour, a traveling production of vibrant new plays written by DC area youth.

This year's Express Tour is called Heroes and Bullies, and asks the question, "Which do you choose to be?" October is National Anti-Bullying Month, and Heroes and Bullies reminds students and adults alike to make the choice every day to be a hero. Professional actors will bring performances of the Express Tour to schools, nursing homes, and community centers from October 17 through December 2. On November 14, at 7:30pm, YPT will present a free public performance at GALA Hispanic Theatre, at 3333 14th St NW.

"From students confronting school bullies to superheroes overcoming their fears to save the day, this is a performance that celebrates the hero in all of us," said David Snider, Producing Artistic Director and CEO of YPT. "These young playwrights have an important message that resonates across all age groups, and we are thrilled to share their writing with the community."

With national pressure mounting on schools to educate students on the dangers of bullying, Heroes and Bullies presents an opportunity to start the conversation with young students from a perspective they can relate to. The production presents three short plays written by DC students, woven together with short scenes on bullying by students at Kelly Miller Middle School, and original spoken word poetry by high school student Reyna Rios. The plays were created by DC area youth during YPT's In-School Playwriting Program, which integrates the art of playwriting into the classroom in order to enhance student literacy, creative expression and communication, serving over 1,000 elementary, middle and high school students annually throughout Greater Washington.

Community members and press are invited to attend the November 14 performance at GALA Hispanic Theatre.

"I am so excited to be a part of this tour," says actress Wendy Nogales. "I can really relate to the message, so I know how important it is to bring these plays to students and community members. And it's super fun!"

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