Goodman Theatre's Young Adult Playwriting Competition

 
To complement the plays and readings in the 2008 Latino Theatre Festival (August 8 – 24), curator Henry Godinez announces ancillary events and programming for students, adults and families.
 
The 10-Minute Play Competition
August 18 | 7:30pm
 
Children and young adults ages 12 to 23 are invited to participate in a 10-minute play competition. The plays, written in English or Spanish, address the "Culture Clash" in America by exploring what it's like to be both a Latino/a and an American, and speak to how these identities define us as individuals and as a society. Two plays from each age category (12 – 15, 16 – 19 and 20 – 23) will be selected for a reading by a company of professional actors. All submissions must be 10 minutes or shorter (about 10 typed double-spaced pages) and need no more than 5 actors total, though actors can play multiple characters. Submissions must be typed and include playwright's name, contact information and age category as well as any relevant production history if the play has been previously performed. One submission is allowed per person. The deadline for submissions is July 15; winners will be announced August 8.  The professional reading will be open to the public on Monday, August 18. Scripts can be delivered in person to Goodman Theatre or emailed to DanCox@GoodmanTheatre.org, including "10-minute plays (LTF)" in the subject line of the email.
 
Late-Night Friday Music
August 8, 15 & 22 | 10pm
 
When the curtain comes down, the music and dancing begin. Each Friday at 10pm during the Latino Theatre Festival, a different band will take the lobby stage. Confirmed performers include The Luna Blues Machine (August 15), playing acoustic, hip-hop and soul-inspired music infused with Latin beats. Other performers will be announced in the coming weeks.
 
Family Puppetry Workshop
August 23 | 9am
 
Let the imagination take flight at the Goodman on August 23, when a puppeteer will teach children in English and Spanish how to create and use puppets. Materials are provided free of charge and children are able to take their creations home. Adults and children who attend the workshop have the opportunity to purchase reduced-price tickets to the matinee performance of the Spanish-language puppet piece De La Oreja Al Corazón and attend a discussion with the performers after the show.
 
About the Latino Theatre Festival
 
Goodman Theatre proudly announces its 4th biennial Latino Theatre Festival, curated by Resident Artistic Associate Henry Godinez. Running August 8 – 24, 2008, the Festival includes an unprecedented lineup of performances from Latin America, Spain, New York and Chicago. The first weekend focuses on Mexico with Al Son Que Me Toques, Lorca, Laura Crotte's Mexican musical adaptation of Federico García Lorca's Blood Wedding and the final performances of Chicago Children's Theatre's production of Esperanza Rising, based on the book by Pam Muñoz Ryan, adapted by Lynne Alvarez and directed by Godinez.  Week two explores original work, highlighted by an updated version of Culture Clash's Culture Clash in AmeriCCa and Taking Flight by Adriana Sevan.  The final weekend is devoted to international offerings including Barcelona-based Marta Carrasco's J'arrive…!—a compilation of her works over the past ten years—and De La Oreja Al Corazón, an imaginative puppet piece from Mexico City. Chicago companies featured throughout the festival include Albany Park Theater Project's Aquí Estoy; Teatro Luna's Jarred; Teatro Vista's reading of Little Certainties; Luna Negra Dance Theater's Antojito; and Aguijón Theater Company's adaptation of Tennessee Williams' The Strangest Kind of Romance.  Tickets ($5 – $35) are on sale; call 312.443.3800, click GoodmanTheatre.org or visit the box office at 170 N. Dearborn.