By Eva Trieger
SAN DIEGO — While so many dreams were dashed in this crazy pandemic period, Playwrights Project refused to succumb to any hurdles. The 37th consecutive annual California Young Playwrights Contest was held, and held vigorously, with great response!
The actual in-person celebration won’t occur until January 22, 2022, but the cat was let out of the bag to a select few (ahem! this reviewer) last Saturday night. And quite an evening it was. I was made privy to the top five young writers, aged 13-17. I have covered this competition in the past, and I am never left with a sensation anything short of amazed and humbled.
The program, under Executive Director Cecelia Kouma, culls only the best and brightest, and sometimes most daring, young playwrights. Before I even introduce the playwrights or the content of their work, I feel it is important to applaud the efforts of the individuals who comprise the Playwrights Project. Thanks to the Sheila and Jeffrey Lipinsky Family Fund and Mandell Weiss Charitable Trust, the corps of dedicated judges, dramaturges and reviewers were able to read and provide feedback for 276 submissions. Hats off to Rachel VanWormer and volunteers, who read EVERY script without knowing info about the author. (Sidebar: I’m a huge fan of this actor who reads for Write Out Loud and has graced many area stages). Following the screening process, the top 43 scripts landed on Cecelia Kouma’s desk, where, with the assist of the Contest Coordinator were winnowed down to ten candidates. Finally, these scripts were reviewed by Peter Cirino, Ahmed Kenyatta Dents, Josefina Lopes, Annie Weisman, and George Yé. After all of these judges evaluated the scripts, the final decision was made by Yé, Kouma, and VanWormer. No one will be disappointed by their selections!
It is worth noting that many of the judges and readers are, themselves, alumni of the California Young Playwrights Contest and several shared their memories and advice for future contestants, stating how pivotal and impactful their experience had been. Claire Cox revealed, “I knew I was a writer, but to have others reflect that back to me…” was especially meaningful.
Beginning with the youngest playwrights, Yaseen Issa and Ahmed Al Hashimi won a staged reading for their collaborative play, The Jealous Soccer Ball. The two young men who wrote this play were attending Hillsdale Middle School and taking a class with Tori Rice. These 13-year-olds anthropomorphized how a soccer ball would feel when replaced by a basketball. Their sensitivity and compassion attracted the judges to this sweet play.
I was especially happy to see that Declan Kallberg had won again! I well remembered his last submission (Dub Thee Fear), which was also a winner, and felt that this playwright had more to say. His new play, Boxed In, is a commentary on how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed our lives for good….or at least for the next 100 years. Actors Tommy Tran and Bianca Vanegas reveal the social impact of the dystopia created by the pandemic. If someone sneezes on a Zoom meeting….is it contagious? This gifted writer has been involved in Youth Theater since he was 7 and hopefully, he will remain active for years to come.
New Village Arts’ Aletha Barthell helped Ana Cabrera to bring Petunia to fruition. This play about a mixed-race flower is a beautiful metaphor for tensions on either side of our southern border, and how one strives to belong somewhere. Cabrera’s flower has roots on both sides of the border, and as a result, she feels fragmented and isn’t sure where her actual roots are. Two more important pieces of info about this author. Firstly, she has been a dedicated submitter of plays, and secondly, she is a dancer. Clearly, Ana Cabrera is someone to be watched!
The final piece that was selected for a full production was Jacqueline Vellandi’s Reverie. This playwright comes from Ladera Ranch, and her original play explored the conundrum of what life might be like if shed the conventions and demands of a typical mundane existence. Through a collective daydream, the actors explore this notion. The results are innovative and relevant. There is a cautionary tale in this short play, and that is that we must not take our intimate connections for granted. Nuff said, as I don’t want to be a spoiler!
Individual support of the incredible Playwrights Project gives our brilliant student authors a vehicle for sharing their cutting-edge ideas. This unique program relies on the support of the entire community to cultivate and inspire more local talent to access wider audiences…and they clearly deserve it.
In-person public celebration and screening- January 22, 2022, at 7 p.m. at the Museum of Photographic Arts. Virtual public performances-January 28 & 29, 2022 at 7 pm.
To purchase tickets, please contact www.playwrightsproject.org/productions/pbyw or phone 858.384.2970.
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Eva Trieger is a freelance writer specializing in coverage of the arts. She may be contacted via eva.trieger@sdjewishworld.com