The 37th Young Playwrights Festival features four dynamic one-act plays that explore bias across time and space. This year’s winning plays are:
SPLASHES OF PAINT by Amanda Heckler | Directed by Reshmi Hazra Rustebakke
During the Renaissance period, a young woman is forced to hide her visual art painting which jeopardizes her happiness.
LISTEN by Grant Parris | Directed by ILesa Duncan
Two friends Graham and Zach find themselves in an endless ‘groundhog day’ time loop. Will Zach figure out how to prevent the devastating outcome?
CAN’T SLEEP by Alexander Loaiza | Directed by Enrico Spada
In order to stave off the grief of his dog dying James pretends he’s in a happy kids television show. Can he acknowledge his childhood traumas and awake from his dream?
YOU’RE LIKE, DEAD by Ella Johnson | Directed bty ILesa Duncan
Richard, a socially awkward man, accidentally dies and lands in the afterlife where he encounters Death and soon realizes they are both grappling with the same struggle.
The 37th Annual Young Playwrights Festival runs Thursday, Jan. 4 – Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024, at Chicago Dramatists, 798 N. Aberdeen. The press opening Saturday, Jan. 6 at 7:00pm. and an Opening Ceremony, Sunday, Jan. 6 at 2:30pm. After the opening, public performances continue on Fridays at 7:00pm, Saturdays at 2:30pm and 7:00pm.
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.