10 Student-Written Plays Chosen for New World Stages

Fidelity Investments, coupled with the Viertel/Frankel/Baruch/Routh Group and LEAP (Learning through an Expanded Arts Program), have announced the ten plays written by New York City students enrolled in arts education program Fidelity Futurestage, which have been chosen to perform at New World Stages, 340 W. 50th Street, on May 21 and May 23, 2007.

Press notes state, "Fidelity FuturestageSM was designed to provide more than 800 area students, representing 10 inner-city schools, a unique opportunity to learn from some of professional theater's leading playwrights, composers, directors, designers and actors such as Alan Menken (The Little Mermaid), Raúl Esparza (Company), Kathleen Marshall (The Pajama Game); attend Broadway shows for free; and ultimately experience the thrill of bringing their creativity and ideas to life through theater.  The inaugural year of Fidelity Futurestage will culminate with the final performance of the 10 plays, directed and performed by Fidelity Futurestage students at New World Stages."

The Ten Plays by Fidelity FutureStage Participating Schools are as follows:

My Loves, by Oscar Alfaro, age 17, from Hillcrest High School
A romantic comedy about a husband and wife who have a falling out over the husband's obsession with sports.  The cast includes Michael Gonzales, Vanessa Destin, Oscar Alfaro, and Rodney McFarlane.

Let's Eat, by Shaunette Wilson, age 17, from Long Island City High School
A comedy about a nuclear family trying to eat a "normal" family dinner together.  The cast includes Darryl Barney, Peter Georgiadis, Ashley Ellis, Giancarlo " G.C." Vicuna, Jeremiah Haynes, George Kontonis, and Gina Kalmeta.

In My Shoes, by Krystina Colon, age 17, from Adlai E. Stevenson High School.
A young woman is killed as a result of stereotyping and prejudice as she "comes out" as a lesbian.  The cast includes Julio Beltron, Johnathan "Bibby" Aviles, Veronica Liz Ocasio, Samantha Lesha Matos, Richelle Oppenheim, and Kevin Chimilio.

The World of Fashion, by NDoumbe Fall, age 13, from JHS 022 Jordan L. Mott.
Young fashion designers compete for a prize. The cast includes Ashley Santos, Dominique Grannum, Christopher Williams, Marcus Williams, Eric Bailey, Carolin Baez, and Adrian Candellerio.

Two of a Kin, by Melodi Conze & Dwayne Matthew, ages 17, from Enterprise, Business & Technology High School.  
A mystery about identical twins accused of a murder.  The cast includes Silvia Martinez, Doniel Richardson, Tyrese Rivers, Jarrod Rudolph, and Carlos Torres.

Road Trip, by Tiffany Bolden, age 17, Irve Edmond, age 18, Mamadou Keita, age 17 & Christopher Ruffin, age 19 from JHS 050 John D. Wells.
An absurdist comedy about a family lost in the desert. The cast includes Nicole Amezquita, Mesiah  Hameed, Rhane Treece, Matthew Fernandez, and Raymond Acosta.

Ice Joey, by Taiwo Ellis & Yadira Ramos, ages 13 from JHS 383 Phillippa Schuyler.  
Urban boy moves to the suburbs and pretends to be a rapper to make friends. The cast includes Kyle Alfred, age 13, Felix Agramonte, age 12, Erica Gayle, age13, Maya Hawkins, age 12,
Yadira Ramos, age 13, Nisa Crosson Henderson, age 12, and Tammy Shanin Chowdhury, age 13.

Gigolo's Spots, by Kinga Madej, Julie McKay, Kevin Casidid, Mike Albanese & Jeffrey Yip, ages 15 from Baruch College Campus High School
A criminal named Gigolo attempts to reform.  The cast includes Angie Godoy, Autumn Green, Kinga Madej, Eric Vincent Moretti, and Jason Berliner.

Stuck, by Tiffany Bolden, Mamdou Keita, Christopher Ruffin and Irve Edmond, age 18 from A. Philip Randolph Campus High School
Two men are stuck in an elevator with a woman, who is one of the men's girlfriend and the other man's lover. The cast includes Juriel
Gomezage, Eric Kazadi, Rauling Larancuent, and Lashante Taylor.