Young playwrights honored

SHARON — TriArts at the Sharon Playhouse showcased three plays written by the winners of the 2009 Young Playwrights Festival on Tuesday, June 30.

The plays, mainly comical affairs, were performed by actors and actresses from the area.

New York City playwright Frank Tangredi, who also served as a mentor to the playwrights, gave the keynote speech.

“The theater needs young people more than ever,� Tangredi said. “We need new blood now more than ever. These young playwrights have things still to learn. But I’m 55 years old and I still have things to learn, too.�

The first play performed was “The Shoes� by third- and fourth-grade category award winner Emily Singer from Hopewell Junction, N.Y. The play was about two young sisters fighting over a pair of shoes at a sale.

“I’m a little nervous about it,� Singer said right before the performance. “I think it’s great. I love it.�

Hannah Nancy Pouler from Lakeville wrote “Open The Door,� which won in the fifth- and sixth-grade category. The play is about a man trying to go through a door to talk to his boss.

The third, written by ninth- through 12th-grade winner Walker Charles Rumpf from Hopewell Junction, was called “Violets Are Red� and dealt with a medieval love triangle between a serf, a maiden and a dragon.

“The stage is a great vehicle,� Rumpf said before the show. “I’m definitely going to write for the stage again. In fact, I’m working on a rock opera right now.�

Michael Berkeley, artistic director for TriArts, said he was very excited to stage plays at the theater that are written by young people.

“We’re more than happy to offer a venue for young people,� Berkeley said. “You can envision what a play might look and sound like, but until you get onto a stage you really won’t know what it looks like.�

Each winning playwright was awarded a $100 cash prize.

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