Photo Flash: Young Writers 2018 Opens Friday

MadLab's Young Writers Short Play Festival, featuring a collection of ten short plays written by 11 area high school students, will take place July 13 - 28, 2018 at MadLab, 227 N. 3rd St., in Columbus. Admission is $18 for the general public, $15 for students and seniors and $13 for MadLab members. Tickets are available online at www.madlab.net.

Founded in 2011 and now in its seventh year, MadLab's Young Writers Short Play Festival is designed to give local high school playwrights a professional theatrical experience. Students are invited to submit their 10-minute plays, a selected group of which are chosen to be developed and produced. Each student is given the opportunity to attend specialized workshops and collaborate with local and national mentor playwrights during their time in the program. At the end of the program, the plays are performed at MadLab in a fully-produced short play festival.

The program has a lasting impact on student and adult participants. Former playwrights have gone on to major in theatre in college, have their work included in textbooks, and perform on national television.

This year's plays include:

The Breakdown by Rowan Henderson-Bernard (Fort Hayes), directed by Corey Ragan
Featuring Kayla Theis and Travis Horseman

Stranded on the side of the road, a couple must decide what direction their relationship will take.

If I'd Never Found Him by Charis Ellett (Big Walnut), directed by Madleine Jobrack
Featuring Kate Jones, Ryan Blanchard and Conor Moore

Special people can change the entire course of your life. Or not.

Life Class by Anna Rolinatis (Hilliard Bradley), directed by Mary Sink
Featuring Dallas Ray, Lance Atkinson, Ashley Collins. John Grote, Aiyana Flint, and Daryan Arnold

Don't you wish someone had warned you about what the world was like before you came into it?

Ghost Light by Cassidy Byron (Dublin Coffman), Directed by Tamara Boeck with assistance from Adam Wheelbarger
Featuring Conor Moore

A lonely teen, a theatre ghost, and a conversation.

Ever After by Taylor McGowan (Columbus Academy), Directed by Kayla Theis
Featuring Frankie Diederich. Kate Jones, Marguerite Strong, Colleen Kochensparger, and Ryan Blanchard

In order to save her real-world love story, a woman turns to the characters in her imagination.

All We Need Is Warmth by Sanskruti Admane and Chandra Bista (Columbus Academy), Directed by Meg Mateer with assistance from Becky Horseman
Featuring Kiki Baker, Dalia Natour, Daryan Arnold, Rah Imani, Andy Woodmansee, Nikhil Mikhija

Two teens in a refugee camp just need one thing: firewood.

fun times at the big splash! by Maddie Conley (Jonathan Alder), directed by Cat Cryan
Featuring Kiki Baker and Frankie Diederich

High school girls form an unlikely friendship, considering the circumstances.

Job Interview by Derek Smith (Groveport Madison), Directed by Susie McGarry with assistance from Addie Peele
Featuring Kevin Colgan and Mary Sink

Just your typical, everyday job interview. Seriously.

Beneath the Stars by Meghan Tarney (Hilliard Bradley), directed by Lane Schlichter with assistance from Addie Peele
Featuring Marguerite Strong and Aleksa Kaups

On prom night, one friend is no longer able to keep her secret to herself.

Puppeteers by Lily Herold (Athens High School), directed by Tay Lane with assistance from John Quigley
Featuring Aleksa Kaups, Aiyanna Flint, Lance Atkinson, and Sam Clements

The daily grind is actually hilarious, if you stop and think about it. OR Just when you think you're in total control of your life, you find out you're totally wrong.

Puppeteers, Job Interview, Life Class, and Ever After are comedies.

Two separate programs will be offered, each showcasing five plays. Friday evening performances and the July 15 matinee performance will feature The Breakdown, If I'd Never Found Him, Life Class, Ghost Light, and Ever After. Saturday evening performances and the July 22 matinee performance will feature All We Need Is Warmth, fun times at the big splash, Job Interview, Beneath the Stars, and Puppeteers. Friday and Saturday evening performances begin at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinee performances begin at 3 p.m.

MadLab is a non-profit organization that provides an artistic haven for the creation and experience of original works. For more information about events at MadLab, visit www.madlab.net. The Community Arts Fund of The Columbus Foundation, Greater Columbus Arts Council and Ohio Arts Council support MadLab throughout the year.

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