The Palace Brings Original Works To Life For Local High School Playwrights

Stamford, White Plains and Mamaroneck students honored with The Palace Theatre's Ernie DiMattia Emerging Young Artist Awards

On May 24, three high school students from Fairfield and Westchester County will experience the joy of live theatre in a whole new way - as playwrights. Jeison Lenis Lopez (of Stamford), Zaida Rio Polanco (of White Plains) and Naomi Young (of Mamaroneck) were named winners of The Palace Theatre's 2020 Ernie DiMattia Emerging Young Artist Awards for their writing of an original one-act play. All three will witness their visions come to life with a virtual reading by professional actors as part of The Palace fundraiser.

This year, The Palace selected three winners, Jeison Lenis Lopez, a junior at Stamford High School, for his play, "Renaissance;" Zaida Rio Polanco, a sophomore at White Plains High School, for her play, "Waves;" and Naomi Young, a junior at Rye Neck High School, for her play, "Twentyfour." Each student was awarded $300. In addition, The Palace has recognized three runners-up - Samantha Vertucci (of Sandy Hook), Charlie Johnson (Riverside) and Serena Shifrin (of Mount Kisco).

The Ernie DiMattia Emerging Young Artist Awards Fundraiser will take place on Zoom on Sunday, May 24 at 4:00pm. Broadway veteran Luis Salgado will be joined by New York City actors for the virtual reading, which is free and open to the public.

A well-known performer, director, choreographer and producer, Luis Salgado's 20-year career spans Broadway, film, television, and stages around the world. Broadway credits include In The Heights, Woman on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, Rockyand On Your Feet. Most recently he served as the Associate Director to 2019 Tony Award winner for Choreography Sergio Trujillo in a production of Cirque du Soleil's Paramourin Hamburg, Germany. Salgado was also the director and choreographer for a production of In The Heightsat The Axelrod Theater in Asbury Park and an all Spanish production at The Gala Theater in Washington D.C.

"Congratulations to Jeison, Zaida and Naomi and all our runners-up for their excellent work," said Michael Moran, President & CEO of The Palace. "At a time when students have lost so many valuable experiences, we're working hard to keep an opportunity they were waiting for. Join us in bringing the joy of arts education to these deserving high school students."

While there is no cost for the reading, donors who give $25 or more will receive a t-shirt that says, "Arts Education Takes Center Stage at The Palace." For more information on the fundraiser, including a Zoom link to the performance, visit https://bit.ly/3dU5gQ6.

The Emerging Young Artist Award was established in 2010 and is open to all high school students from Fairfield and Westchester Counties. Winners have included instrumentalists, vocalists, composers, actors and playwrights. In 2015, the award was renamed for Ernie DiMattia, former president of The Ferguson Library in Stamford and a longtime Stamford Center for the Arts board member.

The Palace's Arts in Education programs are held year round and strive to educate, challenge and inspire area youth by offering opportunities in performing, choreography, master classes and intensives in circus arts, acting, voice and dance. Students learn skills that are important in academic and life success such as confidence, problem-solving, teamwork, perseverance and focus.

The Palace Theatre is located at 61 Atlantic Street in Stamford, CT. They can be reached at (203) 325-4466 or by visiting www.palacestamford.org. For the latest news and updates, follow @ThePalaceTheatreStamford on Facebook and @PalaceStamford on Twitter.

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