DCPA Announces Finalists for Regional High School Playwriting Competition

The Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA) is pleased to announce the finalists of the third annual Regional High School Playwriting Workshop and Competition for Colorado high school students.

"These young playwrights are the next generation of theatre. It is our responsibility and our privilege to encourage them and give them the tools to succeed," said Allison Watrous, Director of Education at the DCPA. "This year we received a whopping 212 submissions from high school students across 18 counties. The three finalists will be paired up with working Colorado theatre professionals and will have their plays brought to life by professional actors as a part of the Colorado New Play Summit."

The 2015/16 Regional High School Playwriting Workshop and Competition served 3,110 students and 82 teachers in 60 schools over 18 different counties. Teaching artists conducted 145 workshops that resulted in a record-breaking number of play submissions. Each finalist's Theatre or Language Arts teacher will receive a $250 gift certificate for books, supplies or other teaching tools for their classrooms. Finalists also receive a $250 cash scholarship and complimentary pass to any reading or production at the Summit.

All three finalists, Kendra Knapp (Valor Christian School), Gabrielle Moore (D'Evelyn High School) and Jessica Wood (Denver Christian School)will receive mentorship from a professional playwright and a staged reading at the 2016 Colorado New Play Summit. One of the finalists will also have their play produced during DCPA Education's 2016 summer program.

2015/16 Regional High School Playwriting Workshop and Competition Finalists:

(Alphabetical by play title)

• Black and Blue by Ashley Wright and Amelia Middlebrooks, Valor Christian High School
• Daffodil by Kristine Guo, Peak to Peak Charter School
• Dark River by Jessica Wood, Denver Christian High School
• Divinity of Hell by Gabrielle Moore, D'Evelyn High School
• Don't; Quixotic by Kalina Gallardo, Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy
• Empty Space by Kiera Eriksen-McAuliffe, Denver School of the Arts
• Home in the Garden by by Stephanie Kiel and Mady McGraw, Chatfield Senior High School
• Mahdi by Jacob Kendrick, Peak to Peak Charter School
• Moonlight by Jafei Pollitt, Denver School of the Arts
• Sonder by Kendra Knapp, Valor Christian High School

The 2015/16 Regional High School Playwriting Workshop and Competition is sponsored by The Newman Family Foundation and June Travis. For more information on all ten youth playwrights, visit mydenvercenter.org.

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