DCPA Unveils Finalists for Regional High School Playwriting Competition

The Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA) has announced the three finalists of the second annual Regional High School Playwriting Workshop and Competition for Colorado high school students. Finalists Kaytlin Camp (Gunnison High School), Jack Hansen (Arapahoe High School) and Catherine Novotny (Grandview High School)will receive a staged reading at the 2015 Colorado New Play Summit. Finalists also receive a $250 cash scholarship and complimentary pass to any reading or production at the Summit.

Each finalist's Theatre or Language Arts teacher will receive a $250 gift certificate for books, supplies or other teaching tools for their classrooms. One of the finalists will also have his/her play produced during DCPA Education's 2015 summer program.

"We were blown away by the number of submissions we received this year," said Allison Watrous, Director of Education at the DCPA. "It was a privilege for our team to read all 158 submissions and take on the nearly impossible task of narrowing them down to these three finalists. It is thrilling to see that the passion for theatre is alive and well in Colorado high schools."

Last year's program included 83 workshops in 33 schools, serving 1,764 students and 42 teachers across 11 counties. The 2014 program nearly doubled in size and reach, conducting 143 workshops in 45 schools, serving 2,899 students and 67 teachers over 14 different counties (including Chaffee, Larimer, and Las Animas).

The Regional High School Playwriting Workshop and Competition was sponsored by the Newman Family Foundation with matching gifts from FirstBank, MarkWest Energy Partners, The Ross Foundation, Stonebridge Companies, and June Travis.

2014 Regional High School Playwriting Workshop and Competition Finalists:

(Alphabetical by play title)

• Divide by Kiana Trippler, ThunderRidge High School
• Election by Catherine Novotny, Grandview High School
• Lark's Mechanics by Kaytlin Camp, Gunnison High School
• Life According to Mauve by Keely Kritz, Denver School of the Arts
• Open Mic by Joshua Contreras, Gunnison High School
• Paper Clips by Christina Arias, Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy
• The Suburbs by Kendra Knapp, Valor Christian High School
• The Tale of the Almighty Sword by Jack Hansen, Arapahoe High School
• The Window on the Fourth Wall by Ryan McCormick, Fort Collins High School
• Unspoken by Nathan Mast, Thomas B. Doherty High School

For more information on all ten youth playwrights, visit mydenvercenter.org.

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