EQT Young Playwrights Festival Kicks Off This Month

City Theatre will showcase the playwriting talents of emerging young artists in the EQT Young Playwrights Festival, October 24 - November 4, 2017. This year's festival will premiere six one-act plays and a reading of four honorable mentions all written by middle and high school playwrights from Southwestern Pennsylvania. Directed by Maggie Sulka, the plays will be performed in two programs with an ensemble cast and professional design team. Student matinee performances are October 24 - November 3 and public performances October 28-29, 2017. Tickets are on sale now; $10 for ages 18 and under, $15 for adults. In partnership with the theater departments at University of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University, Carnegie Mellon University, and Point Park University, a free reading of four Honorable Mention plays will take place on Saturday, November 4 at 2:00 p.m.

"The EQT Young Playwrights Festival is always one of the highlights of City Theatre's year," said Director of Education & Accessibility, Kristen Link. "We are consistently awed by the talent of our student playwrights. With courage and imagination, this year's writers tackle historical subject matter ranging from the battle between Tesla and Edison to the tragedy of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire. They delve into the cost of political aspirations with humor and love, as well as examine stories about the crossroads of family and loyalty. There's even some April Fool's Day-related slapstick comedy thrown in for good measure! Rest assured any audience member who experiences these plays will walk away impressed and challenged by the next generation of theater-makers."

An ensemble cast will perform all roles across the six plays. The cast includes Parag S. Gohel, Heather Irwin, Laura Karner, Alex Manalo, Jalina K. McClarin, John Michnya, Chris Morriss, DeVaughn Robinson, Brett Sullivan Santry, and Jane Scutieri Tinker. The production team, led by director Maggie Sulka, is M.K. Hughes (scenic design), Madison Hack (costume design), Alex Gibson (lighting design), Angela Baughman (sound design), Clare Drobot (dramaturg and Director of New Play Development), Mora Harris (dramaturg & script supervisor), and Ryan Looke as Stage Manager. The team of dramaturgs who worked with the student writers includes Scott Barsotti, Annie DiMario, Jeanne Drennan, Mora Harris, Gayle Pazerski, and Tammy Ryan.

EQT YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL 2017:

MIDDLE SCHOOL DIVISION
Public Performances:
October 28 at 1:00 p.m.
October 29 at 6:00 p.m.

FAMILY HONOR
By Jack Horrigan
Jefferson Middle School

Don Benito Luciani is an aging Mafioso struggling to retain his political and social power. When a family member is brutally murdered, Benito and his ambitious son, Bruno, must rush to catch the culprit and reassert the family's control of the criminal underworld. This gripping thriller investigates how one family attempts to maintain its honor in the face of ambition and tragedy.

MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS
By Chloe Werner
Pittsburgh CAPA 6-12

Raised by a loving, single father, Sophie Roy is shocked to discover that her absentee mother has been trying to contact her for years. Wary, yet curious about the woman who abandoned her as a child, Sophie-with the support of her grandmother and best friends-embarks on an emotional journey that explores the intersections of love, loyalty, and forgiveness.

SPARK
By Danielle Jordan
Pittsburgh CAPA 6-12

Work at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory is grueling and monotonous, but for the immigrant women who toil at dangerous machines and whisper at their work tables, it is the only option to earn a living. Told through the eyes of, Adeline, a reluctant 14-year-old seamstress, this heartbreaking drama sheds light on one of America's most shameful labor tragedies.

HIGH SCHOOL PLAYS:
Public Performances:
October 28 at 6:00 p.m.
October 29 at 1:00 p.m.

GET OUT THE VOTE
By Riley Smith
North Allegheny Senior High School

Vicky Lancaster is a young, idealistic presidential candidate who longs to be taken seriously. As her campaign struggles to garner voters, Vicky, following the dubious advice of her sister-come-campaign consultant, launches into a public fauxmance with her long time campaign manager, David. Proving that women can have it all, Vicky steamrolls down the campaign trail on a romantic romp-with heartwarming and hilarious results.

LIKE OPRAH SAID
By Shelby Studt
Washington High School

Emma knows what to expect from her father on April Fool's Day-an endless avalanche of practical jokes. However, she could never expect the commotion that two positive pregnancy tests and an Oprah Winfrey documentary could cause. This sidesplitting romance takes a farcical look at just how disruptive a prank can (and should) be.

THE VEINS OF CREATION
By Sarah Tomko
Bentworth High School

Newly arrived in America, Nikola Tesla, the brilliant young inventor, is determined to pursue his dreams of scientific immortality. His urge to create is matched only by his intellect and ingenuity. This electrifying play sheds light on Tesla's hard-fought battle against Thomas Edison, and the successes and tragedies he faced on his quest for greatness.

HONORABLE MENTION READINGS
Saturday, November 4 at 2:00 p.m.
This is a free event.

Almost Home by Alaina DeMichiei
Hampton High School

A Story To Tell Death by Madison Katarski
Pittsburgh CAPA 6-12

But In Ourselves by Breanna McCann
South Fayette High School

Hold On For Me by Sarah Nelson
Moon Area High School

STUDENT MATINEE PERFORMANCES:

For information on Student Matinee availability, please contact Kristen Link: klink@citytheatrecompany.org or 412-431-4400 x 225.

Hamburg Studio, City Theatre, 1300 Bingham Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203 (South Side). Patron parking is available in the lot across from the City Theatre entrance for $8. BOX OFFICE: 412.431.CITY (2489) or citytheatrecompany.org

Single tickets start at $15.00. Audiences under 18 may reserve $10 tickets in advance for all performances.

City Theatre is now in its 43rd season, located in the historic South Side. Called "Pittsburgh's most innovative theater company," by the New York Times, the organization serves a mission to provide an artistic home for the development and production of contemporary plays of substance and ideas that engage and challenge a diverse audience. CityTheatreCompany.org.

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