Go Inside the Minds of Teens at The Rose Theater's 22nd Annual Young Playwrights Festival

The 22nd anniversary of the Young Playwrights Festival will give audiences a glimpse into the minds of teens, May 4-7, 2017 at The Rose. Performances are May 4 (7pm FREE teen night), May 6 (7pm) and May 7 (4:30pm).

The 22nd annual Festival showcases a large ensemble of talented teen actors, five creative young writers, and two professional director mentors, Kevin Ehrhart and Autumn Simpson.

"It is great to help these teens bring their thoughts to the stage," said Ehrhart, who's helped translate their passions, observations, and quirky senses of humor into scripts with strong conflicts, unique character voices, and satisfying conclusions. "Teen writers have such unique points of view on the world, and these works help celebrate them and improve their skills as writers."

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There are five unique shows taking place at the festival, along with four staged readings, all written by local teenagers:

Instead of 100 Years by Max Monahan
(1st Place Winner for the Rose Theater's Young Playwrights for Change)
A classroom with five students and one teacher; the year is 3050.

Director: Kevin Ehrhart

Cast:
Mrs. James -- Abby Schreiber
Aaron -- Jack McGill
Jake -- Will Minshall
Dylan -- Matthew Kischer
Autumn -- Lisa Mueller
Grace -- Imani Lamar

Bite Me by Abby Schreiber
Melanie is a normal teenage girl who has fallen in love with Joshua, who happens to be a vampire.

Director: Kevin Ehrhart

Cast:
Melanie -- Jack McGill
Joshua -- Subhranshu Banerjee

Madalena the Unstoppable by Isabella Manhart
Madalena begins to find confidence in herself, as she works with her friends and her twin sister to solve a mystery concerning a stolen fortune, and her step-father's mysterious past.

Director: Autumn Sumpson

Cast:
Madalena -- Chloe Fowler
Felicity -- Ella Hill
Krissy -- Abby Schreiber
Michael -- Max Monahan
Eddie -- Will Minshall
Mom -- Lisa Mueller
Mrs. Hangleton -- Abbey Smith
Hugh/Mr. Hangleton -- Jose Gonzalez
Reporter -- Garrett Burnow

With Every Purchase of a Tree You Get to Win a... by Matthew Kischer
An abnormal scenario occurring in an average garden store. It cannot be explained consistently by witnesses and rumors around the town.

Director: Kevin Ehrhart

Cast:
Worker -- Chloe Fowler
Sylvia -- Imani Lamar
Mrs. Memme (A) -- Lisa Mueller
Mrs. Memme (B) -- Abby Schreiber
Mr. Downing -- Subhranshu Banerjee
Mrs. Downing -- Jack McGill
Mr. Richman -- Garrett Burnow

Earthman Pilot by Mitch Fey
Television's latest show, Earthman, has some troubles making it on the air. But the show's lead, Gary, isn't going down without a fight.

Director: Autumn Simpson

Cast:
Earthman/Harold/Gary -- Max Monahan
Styrofiend -- Subhranshu Banerjee
Narrator -- Matthew Kischer
Old Lady -- Lisa Mueller
Citizen 1 -- Imani Lamar
Citizen 2 -- Ella Hill
Director -- Abbey Smith
Executive Cashman -- Garrett Burnow
Little Girl -- Chloe Fowler

Staged Readings:

Jose Gonzalez-Hilario
"It's Fair to Fight or It's Wrong to Stay Down? (Choose What You Have to Do)"
Grade. 7
Age. 12

Will Rodgers
"The Knights of Crow Wood"
Grade. 8
Age. 13

Michaela Holcomb
"Voices in My Head"
Grade. 8
Age. 13

Elena Elder
"Hidden Inside"
Grade. 7
Age. 13

Company:
Subhranshu Banerjee .............Elkhorn South High School Class of 2019
Garrett Burnow ........................Lewis Central High School Class of 2020
Mitch Fey ..................................Millard North High School Class of 2020
Chloe Fowler .................................Westside High School, Class of 2019
Jose Gonzalez .................................Marrs Middle School, Class of 2022
Ella Hill......................... Beveridge Magnet Middle School, Class of 2022
Matthew Kischer ........................... Westside High School, Class of 2017
Raleigh Kreis .....................................Duchesne Academy Class of 2020
Imani Lamar ...........................Omaha North High School, Class of 2019
Isabella Manhart .............Lewis and Clark Middle School, Class of 2022
Jack McGill ............................Omaha South High School, Class of 2019
Will Minshall .............................................Creighton Prep, Class of 2019
Max Monahan .................................Kiewit Middle School, Class of 2021
Lisa Mueller ......................................Duchesne Academy, Class of 2020
Abby Schreiber ............................Westside Middle School Class of 2021
Abbey Smith .....................................Duchesne Academy, Class of 2019

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More about the 2017 Young Playwrights for Change winner, Max Monahan!

Max Monahan, an 8th grader at Kiewit Middle School, received first place in The Rose's annual Young Playwrights for Change competition for his play, Instead of 100 Years, which was also submitted into the national playwrighting competition! Max's original play was inspired by the struggles and effects of discrimination and bullying. Max's play will be featured in the Young Playwrights for Change Festival, along with 4 other student pieces and 4 staged readings!

For Max and many others, being a part of young playwrights gives them a place where they can share their thoughts and views and feel they are a valued, important part of the community and can make a difference in the world.

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The 2017 Young Playwrights for Change Festival opens on Thursday, May 4 at 7 pm, with additional performances on Saturday, May 6 at 7 pm and Sunday, May 7 at 4:30 pm. Tickets are $6 and can be purchased at The Rose Box Office.

The Rose Theater is one of the largest and most accomplished children's theaters in the nation, with a reputation for enriching the lives of children and families through top-quality professional productions and arts education. The Rose is committed to making the Arts Accessible to all children, providing opportunities for thousands of children throughout the community to attend shows and participate in classes each year.

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