DTF Sets Spring & Summer Youth Programs

Dorset Theatre Festival is about to kick off its fourth annual Jean E. Miller Young Playwrights Competition, which provides free playwriting instruction to area schools, and invites students to submit their work to be judged by a panel of nationally recognized playwrights. DTF educational director Ashley Connell will facilitate free workshops in area schools including MEMS, Maple Street, Long Trail and The Dorset School this winter with space still available for interested educators. These workshops will teach the basics of playwriting for middle and high school students and encourage them to create their own original works. Students will also have the opportunity to connect with playwriting mentors from Bennington College under the mentorship of renowned playwright Sherry Kramer.

This year, in addition to a cash prize for the winners and the annual staged reading of the winning plays performed at the Dorset Playhouse, participating students will be invited as special guests to attend events at the Festival such as the acclaimed New Play Readings and talk-backs with special backstage access. Interested educators should contact Ashley Connell (ashley@dorsettheatrefestival.org) to get involved with the program. Submissions will open for student work in the spring and winners will be announced in the summer. Entries are accepted in middle school (grades 5-8) and high school (grades 9-12) categories.

In addition to the annual Young Playwrights program, DTF is planning exciting family programming for this season including a touring production of The Stinky Cheese Man on June 13 and 20 and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer in early September. These programs are part of DTF's ongoing commitment to Vermont families and education. Group sales are available for schools or camps. Contact Kit Wallace (kit@dorsettheatrefestival.org) for more info.