Photo Flash: Pegasus Theatre Chicago Presents 32nd YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL

Pegasus Theatre Chicago is proud to announce the authors and plays being presented at the 32nd Young Playwrights Festival, January 3 - 27, 2019 at Pegasus's resident home Chicago Dramatists, 773 N. Aberdeen. The productions are performed in tandem Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Previews are Thursday, Jan. 3 - Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. each night. Press opening is Sunday, Jan. 6, 2019 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $18 for students, $25 for seniors and $30 for general admission and are available at PegasusTheatreChicago.org or by phone at 773.878.8864.

The Young Playwrights Festival (YPF) celebrates the 32nd year of the program that inspires Chicago students to explore their histories, research their communities and mine their personal journeys to write dynamic one-act plays for the stage. The competition enhances language arts, encourages independent, high-level thinking, strong personal values and influences career development for Chicago's teens.

The 2018-19 season continues with full productions of winning plays from the annual playwriting competition for high-school-age scribes in Chicago. Three one-act plays are professionally produced as part of Pegasus' main stage season. The second oldest such festival in the country, this annual tradition regularly receives over 500 submissions from Chicago area teens. From those, the winning playwrights are chosen to connect with professional artists to workshop and stage their script.

The 32nd YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL includes:

A Green Light

By Alexis Gaw - Lane Tech College Prep, teacher: Julie Allen

Directed by Joan Mazzonelli

Patrick comes out to his best friend but discovers her casual homophobia. With the help of an online friend group, Patrick is able to sort through his feelings.

Fragile Limbs

By Anonda Tyler - Kenwood Academy, teacher Nina Willams

Directed by Juan Ramirez

Faith, a teenage boy struggling with loss meets Hope, a teenage girl struggling with abuse and self-esteem. Together, they find strength against the backdrop of a violent Chicago.

Good Strong Coffee

By Luna MacWilliams - Whitney M. Young Magnet High School; teacher Elizabeth Danesh

Directed by Ilesa Duncan

Siblings Violeta and Ernesto juggle their own dreams and desires while trying to keep the family's Pilsen-neighborhood coffee shop afloat.

The cast for the productions includes Vincent Banks, Grace Bolander, Juan Mares Castillo, Marianna Gallegos, Sam Godinez, Kameron Villavicencio and Jamia Taylor.

The production team includes designers Nick Schwartz (scenic), Josh Wroblewski (lighting), Steve Labedz (sound), Owé Engobor (costumes) and Kelly Butler (production manager).

Pegasus Theatre Chicago has been a mainstay in the Chicago theater community for nearly 39 years. Its mission is to produce boldly imaginative theatre, champion new and authentic voices and illuminate the human journey. The theatre adheres to the core values of community engagement, social relevance, boldness, adventure and excellence.

Pegasus is also committed to initiating important conversations through the arts with strong community engagement and socially relevant programming, including the Young Playwrights Festival for high school-age scribes, which will celebrate its 32nd year this season. Pegasus Theatre Chicago has received 77 Joseph Jefferson Awards since its inception.

Pegasus Theatre Chicago is proud to announce the authors and plays being presented at the 32nd Young Playwrights Festival, January 3 - 27, 2019 at Pegasus's resident home Chicago Dramatists, 773 N. Aberdeen. The productions are performed in tandem Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Previews are Thursday, Jan. 3 - Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. each night. Press opening is Sunday, Jan. 6, 2019 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $18 for students, $25 for seniors and $30 for general admission and are available at available at PegasusTheatreChicago.org or by phone at 773.878.8864.

Photo Credit: Michael Courier

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