The 36th Young Playwrights Festival features three gripping one-act plays that explore isolation, technology and the future.
This year’s winning plays are:
DEAD BOY WALKING by Elliott Valadez | directed by Enrico Spada
Victor, an isolated teen, is desperate to escape his own loneliness. He thinks he’s found a friend in Millie, the ghost of a 19th-century girl, but when someone new wanders into his life, he begins to question Millie’s motives and his own sanity.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS by Lucas Bigos | directed by ILesa Duncan
It is 2086 Chicago. Leonard does not trust technology, but decides to begin using an Artificial Intelligence app developed by his good friend. He soon realizes technology is increasingly taking over his life.
ANOTHER STAR IN THE SKY by Jonathan Soco | directed by Jason A. Fleece
Elise and Marcus are the last two scientists on the command center of a space station orbiting the earth. An alien invasion has destroyed Earth and is heading to the space station. Will the scientists succeed in warding off the aliens?
The 36th Annual Young Playwrights Festival runs Wednesday, Jan. 4 – Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Chicago Dramatists, 765 N. Aberdeen. The preview performance is Wednesday, Jan. 4 at 7:30pm. with the press opening Saturday, Jan. 7 at 7:30pm. and an Opening Ceremony, Sunday, Jan. 8 at 3pm. After the opening, public performances continue Fridays at 7:30pm, Saturdays at 3:00pm and 7:30pm.
Accessible performance to accommodate audiences who have low-vision and/or are hard-of-hearing will take place on Jan 28th at 3pm.
ABOUT PEGASUS THEATRE CHICAGO
Pegasus Theatre Chicago has been a mainstay in the Chicago theater communityfor more than four decades. Its mission is to champion new, authentic voices and produce boldly imaginative theatre primarily by and about black or other people of color. Home of the Young Playwrights Festival, the company promotes cultural equity while celebrating diversity, inclusion, and first voice. Pegasus is also committed to initiating important conversations through the arts with strong community engagement and socially relevant programming. Pegasus Theatre Chicago has received 77 Joseph Jefferson Awards since its inception.
Be sure to witness the amazing results of these writers professional debut and enjoy an evening of theater from tomorrow’s stars.
Tickets: Adults: $30 | Seniors: $25 | Students: $15
Student Matinee Tickets: teachers and school administrators should contact ypf@pegasustheatrechicago.org.
About the Production Team
ILESA DUNCAN, (DIRECTOR, Terms and Conditions) – ILesa is the executive/producing director at Pegasus Theatre Chicago and the artistic director at Lifeline Theatre. She recently directed and co-adapted the spring 2022 production of Middle Passage from the National Book Award-winning novel at Lifeline Theatre. She directed for Pegasus Jeff-Nominated productions of Eclipsed, including its remount at Theatre on the Lake in the summer 2019, Shakin the Mess Outta Misery (BTAA-award, Ensemble) and the world premiere of Rutherford’s Travels. Other recent credits include Neverwhere, The Nativity with Congo Square and the Jeff Award-winning Jar the Floor at ETA Creative Arts. Duncan has also worked with The Goodman, Writers Theatre, Victory Gardens Theater, Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, Stage Left and Chicago Dramatists, as well as Contemporary American Theatre Company (Ohio). The Alliance Theatre (Atlanta), Arena Stage (Washington DC) and Lincoln Center Theater (New York). Duncan’s creative nonfiction short stories have been published (Columbia College Chicago) and she’s written poems and short stories. For the stage, in addition to Middle Passage, Duncan co-wrote and directed Blakk Love: Storeez of A Darker Hue.
JASON A. FLEECE, (DIRECTOR, Another Star in the Sky) – Fleece is a freelance director, dialect coach, dramaturg and educator living in the Chicagoland area. Fleece returns to the Young Playwrights Festival, having directed plays in several Festivals. Some other favorite directing credits include The Body of an American (Stage Left Theatre), Ordinary Days (BoHo Theatre) and Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (Oakton Performing Arts Center). Fleece was formerly co-artistic director at Stage Left Theatre, one of the oldest ensemble storefront theatres in Chicago. Fleece holds an M.F.A. in Directing from the Theatre School at DePaul University.
ENRICO SPADA (DIRECTOR, Dead Boy Walking) – Enrico is a freelance director and teaching artist. Recent credits include: Much Ado About Nothing at Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre; The Light in the Piazza, The Illusion, All’s Well That Ends Well and Kimberly Akimbo at Illinois State University; and Sleeping Beauty at Illinois Shakespeare Festival.As founder and artistic director of Pittsfield Shakespeare in the Park, a free outdoor festival in Western Massachusetts, Spada has directed Twelfth Night, The Tempest, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Romeo and Juliet. As a teaching artist, he has directed in the National High School Institute Theatre Program (“Cherubs”), as well as in Shakespeare & Company’s Fall Festival of Shakespeare and other K-12 residencies. He received his MFA candidate from the professional directing program at Illinois State University/Illinois Shakespeare Festival and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Acting and Theatre Education from Emerson College in Boston, MA.
Production Staff
About the Artists
Magdalena Dalzell is an actor, dancer and intimacy choreographer, originally from Washington, DC. She moved to the Midwest to study theatre and Russian language at Northwestern, and absolutely fell in love with Chicago. Recent credits include Jenny in National Merit (Boho), and Bernadette in Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons (Snails on a Bike). She is excited to work with so many wonderful artists for YPF! www.magdalenadalzell.com
Kel M. Faherty attends the Chicago College of Performing Arts where she is pursuing her BFA in Acting. She enjoys being in all different types of productions from musicals like Carrie, to feel-good plays like A Wrinkle in Time. This is a new and exciting opportunity and she is thrilled to be along for the ride
Gabriel Fries is delighted to be performing in the Young Playwrights Festival once again (finally in person)! He is a Chicago based actor who has worked with various theatres including TimeLine, Paramount, Porchlight, Lifeline, Metropolis, and Oil Lamp. He has acted in several films and commercials and is at work on an album of original music. Gabriel has a B.A. in Film Studies from Wesleyan University. You can find him online in two audio projects, Theatre in the Dark’s Murder in the Court of Xanadu, and The Merry Beggars’ On The Night Train. Love and thanks to Mom and Dad! www.gabrielfries.net
Anthony Santiago is thrilled to be making his Pegasus Theater debut! Regional credits include Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Midsommer Flight, Collaboraction, Teatro Vista, Arc Theater, City Lit Theater. Commercial credits include: Carvana, Illinois Lottery, Simple Habit, Smithfield Bacon. Huge thanks to my family, friends, and agents at DDO Chicago Artist Agency. ATA. www.mc1rboy.com
Layke Fowler is a Chicago actor and improviser. He attended Ball State University and moved to Chicago in 2019. He has appeared in shows such as Veronica’s Room (MadKap Productions), Parade (BSU) and No Exit (NALPA). Films include Jac Kessler’s Popsy and Eat the Brain, Raymond!. He is very excited to be working with Pegasus Theatre, and would like to thank his friends and family for their support.
Maddie Powell is thrilled to be working with Pegasus Theatre on their 36th Young Playwrights Festival. Her Chicago credits include Ariana in Boho Theater’s National Merit and Conroy in Improv Playhouse’s Suzette Who Set To Sea. Before her recent Chicago debut, Maddie studied Theatre at Northwestern University.