This year, City sifted through 367 entries from 30 schools in seven counties in Western Pennsylvania and three in northern West Virginia. Winners represent five school districts, and more than 1,000 students have the opportunity to attend the festival this year.
2 comments:
Outreach and engagement programs like City’s Young Playwrights Festival are critical not only to the future of our artform, but also critical in bringing in more diverse voices. I am glad that City takes the time to do this festival and throws the net so far to gather their students. 367 entries is a ridiculous number of entries! But it’s made all the better knowing that City doesn’t just focus on one or two school districts in Pittsburgh, but stretches to even West Virginia where we may be the largest “hub” with a theater company with the resources to do this kind of programming to those students. Whether or not all of these applicants, and winners, become the playwriting powerhouses of the future, this is an early first step to life long audience members, lovers of the arts, and possibly people who find their homes in other areas of the performing arts, either as composers, directors, choreographers, managers, designers, or crafts people. Early introductions to what theater is and can be is powerful and I am excited to see this weekends performances!
This is good to know that there are programs like this made available to students and encourages students to express themselves and their art form. It is important that we have programs like these in the community because it does foster belonging and creates a space where the youth feel like their voices are being heard and recognized. It is also good form of healthy competition as it forces people to do and be better in their work. There has been many articles that commend the role arts play in the mental, academic, and emotional development and growth of the youth and this cannot be overlooked. It is good to see that there is a method in which the arts are investing in the youth even if it is through a competition. I also appreciate that the reach of this outreach is not limited to Pittsburgh alone but extends to West Virginnia.
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