By Daniel Rothberg
The Blank Playwrights Festival will feature two sophomore-written one act plays at the Stella Adler Theatre in June.
“What all School Children Learn,” by Ben Sprung-Keyser â11 and “From Your Sweetheart,” by Alex Valdez â11 were chosen by the theatre and were originally written for the Harvard-Westlake Playwrights Festival.
Plays for the Blank Festival are chosen by a selection committee of theatre professionals. After being selected each young playwright participating in the festival is assigned a professional writer who serves as a mentor. The mentors give the students suggestions to help prepare their shows for the professional stage.
Subsequently, directors are assigned by the Blank Festival and each play is cast with professional actors. Playwrights are encouraged to be involved in the rehearsal process for their play.
“From Your Sweetheart heart” is about a messenger dressed in a bunny suit who brings a singing message to a man about to propose to his girlfriend.
By using an example of bullying in high school, “What All School Children Learn” explores how someone powerless can fight a bigger force.
Sprung-Keyserâs one act will be performed on June 6-8 at 8 p.m. and on June 9 at 2 and 7 p.m. Valdezâs one act will be performed on June 11-13 at 8 p.m. and on June 14 at 2 and 7 p.m.
Sprung-Keyser and Valdez found out about this festival through Harvard-Westlake Playwrights Festival Director Christopher Moore.
In addition, the two playwrights plan on submitting their plays to The California Young Playwrights Festival in San Diego.
The Festival accepts plays written by students 19 or younger from across the nation.
