DCPA NEWS CENTER
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DCPA Education announces the 10 finalists of its annual AT&T High School Playwriting Competition
In 2013, the Denver Center for the Performing Arts’ Education team launched a student playwriting program. Originally designed for high school students, DCPA Education offers free playwriting workshops to area high schools and invites students to submit one-act plays into an annual competition. The program has proven to be so popular, that it was expanded to middle school students last fall. Since its inception, the workshops and competition have impacted more than 25,000 students.
Now in its eighth year, the DCPA is pleased to announce the 10 high school finalists in the AT&T High School Playwriting Competition. These plays were selected from 129 submissions representing 31 area schools and reviewed by a panel of artistic, literary and theatre education professionals.
The 2021 High School Playwriting Finalists are:
Discovered by Korben Davis, Sophomore at Estes Park High School
A submarine crew faces the wrath of an undiscovered creature in this drama of suspense set in the near future.
Language Arts Educator: Andrew Virdin
In the spirit of Twitter, how would you describe your play in 140 characters?
A scientific crew below the sea encounters a mysterious beast, what will they do to get rid of it?
What was something new you discovered about yourself while writing your play?
I never thought I could write emotional depth, I always see it in many foreign movies and cartoons, but I didn’t think I could write it myself
What is your favorite line from your play?
“If only this submarine was one of those war-ones, with guns and missiles”
If you could cast one known actor in your play (TV, film), who would it be, in which role, and, briefly, why?
I think Christian Bale would make a great [submarine crew member] Samuel because he could do a great acting job as a protective father.
One Last Present by Conrad Branch, Sophomore at Denver East High School
A long-distant daughter returns to her father’s factory with a request for her dying child. A family drama-edy celebrating the magic and mayhem of Santa’s workshop.
Theatre II Instructor: Deborah Voss
In the spirit of Twitter, how would you describe your play in 140 characters?
When a bitter old man learns of his granddaughter’s sickness, he must put aside his hate for Christmas and turn his factory into Santa’s Toy Shop for one last present.
What was something new you discovered about yourself while writing your play?
Through writing this play I was able to find out how to cover deep meaningful subjects such as mortality while also being able to balance light hearted comedy and fantasy – two worlds that feel even better together!
What is your favorite line from your play?
“What’s going on here!? Have I entered an alternate dimension!? Where’s the stale smell of spam and hopelessness? Where is my enraged grizzly bear of a boss? It’s all been replaced by Santa Claus, peppermint and worst of all… bright colors.”
If you could cast one known actor in your play (TV, film), who would it be, in which role, and, briefly, why?
I would cast David Hyde Pierce as [financial advisor] Mr. Flake because he knows how to play a character who is just almost barely a normal human but isn’t quite succeeding at it.
May 17th by Piper Ruth, Senior at Valor Christian High School
Agnes, a cynical and rebellious college student, returns to her to grammar school for some unfinished business with the principal in this drama of expectations, past and present
Scriptwriting Educator: Marlana Perry
In the spirit of Twitter, how would you describe your play in 140 characters?
A soon-to-be-retired principal of a charter school has an unlikely reunion with a former student that had discovered she was autistic shortly after being pulled out of the school.
What was something new you discovered about yourself while writing your play?
When I began writing May 17, I believed my script would be solely personal and was concerned that it wouldn’t be well-received by my classmates and teacher. However, as the story grew and developed, I realized how universal it was – everyone has been hurt and everybody has hurt someone (and wanted to fix it,) and that’s the story at its core. I discovered I was capable of creating thoughtful stories while still embracing vulnerability in my writing.
What is your favorite line from your play?
“If I never think about it, it never happened. I just hate the place, the building. Bringing up all that stuff that happened to me over and over again really isn’t helping.”
If you could cast one known actor in your play (TV, film), who would it be, in which role, and, briefly, why?
Claudia Jessie as Agnes – she looks just like how I imagine Agnes would look, and I feel like she would be able to portray her well.
The Body by Nichole Estevez Tosi, Freshman at STEM School Highlands Ranch
Twins, Salem and Dean, discover what their family business really entails in this dark comedy.
Theater I Educator: Max Schwarts
In the spirit of Twitter, how would you describe your play in 140 characters?
Dean and Salem, two twins living completely normal and happy lives in New York City. But when a body is found, everything turns upside down.
What was something new you discovered about yourself while writing your play?
I have always had an interest in performing and theater, but while writing my play I discovered I was also interested in backstage and production aspects such as writing.
What is your favorite line from your play?
“Us? Join the Mob?”
If you could cast one known actor in your play (TV, film), who would it be, in which role, and, briefly, why?
If I could cast one known actor in my play, I would cast Millie Bobby Brown as Salem. She has an exceptionally wide emotional range when acting and she performs incredibly well in mystery productions.
Bird of Paradise by Marina Leo, Junior at Denver School of the Arts
Within a swimming pool on a large estate, a seed salesman and the estate owner’s daughter strive for connection in this Absurdist romance.
Theater Educator: Shawn Hann
In the spirit of Twitter, how would you describe your play in 140 characters?
The ideal woman lives in her father’s swimming pool, defeats all those who cross.
What was something new you discovered about yourself while writing your play?
I now know the characters I most enjoy writing are those unconstrained by context– anachronism and un-naturalism are just additional communication devices! Without them I don’t think I could quite say what I mean.
What is your favorite line from your play?
“I would talk to you forever if I could. So peaceful.”
If you could cast one known actor in your play (TV, film), who would it be, in which role, and, briefly, why?
Edie Sedgwick is so enchanting and of a time! Her as Maggie.
Chelsea in the Sky with Janet by Ellie Rodak, Hannah Frost and Loriana Cassidy, Seniors at Salida High School
Within a swimming pool on a large estate, a seed salesman and the estate owner’s daughter strive for connection in this Absurdist romance.
Creative Writing Educator: Jodi DeMoss
ELLIE RODAK ON CHELSEA IN THE SKY WITH JANET
In the spirit of Twitter, how would you describe your play in 140 characters?
The play is a comedy about a college freshman named Chelsea wanting to find friendship. Chelsea tries to join Alpha Kappa Theta Gamma Delta but the girls are pretty exclusive and a little bit cult-y. To teach them a lesson, Chelsea summons a ghost in order to haunt the girls but the sorority has a different plan and the ghost is not what Chelsea expected.
What was something new you discovered about yourself while writing your play?
I discovered that the jokes that I would make with my friends were worth writing about.
What is your favorite line from your play?
“Listen girlies, nothing personal, but we just need an innocent girl’s blood to make our youth juice.”
If you could cast one known actor in your play (TV, film), who would it be, in which role, and, briefly, why?
If I could cast a well-known actor in my play, I would cast Anna Kendrick as Chelsea because she is good at playing sarcastic and outcast characters.
HANNAH FROST ON CHELSEA IN THE SKY WITH JANET
In the spirit of Twitter, how would you describe your play in 140 characters?
College student and social outcast, Chelsea, and new-found ghostly and groovy companion, Janet, take on the cult that is sorority Alpha Kappa Theta Gamma Delta where something about the snide girls isn’t quite right.
What was something new you discovered about yourself while writing your play?
How much I love Janis Joplin!
What is your favorite line from your play?
“JANET: “I’m not a virgin.” CHELSEA: “She’s a ghost.”
If you could cast one known actor in your play (TV, film), who would it be, in which role, and, briefly, why?
Amanda Seyfried in the role of Charlotte as I think she would fit the ditzy and girly characteristics (similar to her role in Mean Girls) of the sorority member.
LORIANA CASSIDY ON CHELSEA IN THE SKY WITH JANET
In the spirit of Twitter, how would you describe your play in 140 characters?
The play is a rad blast to the past that manages to stay groovy while not letting a sorority cult harsh your mellow.
What was something new you discovered about yourself while writing your play?
In writing Janet, I realized how much I idolized the hippie counterculture movement. In doing my research about it I realized that in reality the culture was unique but still complicated and flawed. I found myself humanizing the era a lot more through my acknowledgement that it wasn’t all awesome vibes all the time, though Janet is the epitome of that stereotype.
What is your favorite line from your play?
“Let’s fight the man with our physical connections, ya dig?”
If you could cast one known actor in your play (TV, film), who would it be, in which role, and, briefly, why?
Olivia Cooke as Chelsea because of her performance as Rachel Kushner in “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl”. I think that Chelsea may have a similar dryness and wit to Rachel and I believe that Olivia Cooke could reincarnate a bit of that into Chelsea.
Ardor & Angst by Windrem R. Smith, Junior at Fossil Ridge High School
Three vignettes, featuring the same central character, explore the contemporary teen experience.
21st Century Media and Technology Educator: Brendan Gallagher
In the spirit of Twitter, how would you describe your play in 140 characters?
This play explores three comedic vignettes about the passion and anxiety that is the high school experience.
What was something new you discovered about yourself while writing your play?
Writing this play during the COVID-19 pandemic was a very positive experience. I learned that my imagination can be a valuable retreat. At a time when I was not able to go anywhere physically, I was able to go to many places in my mind. I found those places both relaxing and exciting. I also learned that with patience and tenacity I could convert the random thoughts in my imagination into cohesive stories that I could share with others.
What is your favorite line from your play?
“Hope you “tofu”.”
If you could cast one known actor in your play (TV, film), who would it be, in which role, and, briefly, why?
I would choose Stanley Tucci to play Mr. Keen in vignette number 3, Class Clowns. The character of Mr. Keen is a popular high school teacher who is adored by his students because he is very fun and sarcastic, and he teases his students as much as they tease him. The character must be fun yet respected by his students. Stanley Tucci could easily pull off this role.
Crust and Sugar Over by Vander Ritchie, Junior at Salida High School
Ruth and her friends celebrate her birthday in this drama inspired by Langston Hughes’ poem, Harlem.
Creative Writing Educator: Jodi DeMoss
In the spirit of Twitter, how would you describe your play in 140 characters?
Five friends in 1963 Harlem inadvertently explore race, love, relationships, and spirituality, all while celebrating one of their birthdays.
What was something new you discovered about yourself while writing your play?
Writing this play made me realize how easy it is for your intentions to get lost. So often you assume that what you think while writing will be transported directly into your reader’s (or your actor’s) minds when in reality, language is a lot more difficult than that. For our first drafts, we all had our classmates read the script aloud, and it made it clear to me how much there was left up to an actor’s interpretation. For a few days, I tried to fix it, and more clearly inject my own agenda into the play, until I realize that that ambiguity is where a lot of the magic lies, especially in a medium like theatre.
What is your favorite line from your play?
“It’s just about loving everyone. I think everyone deserves love, at least a little bit.”
If you could cast one known actor in your play (TV, film), who would it be, in which role, and, briefly, why?
Chiwetel Ejiofor because he has the energetic range that would really compliment Sidney, and he seems naturally very charismatic.
The Bathroom Love Potion by Ruthie McBride, Junior at Salida High School
Witchcraft makes mayhem in this high school comedy.
Creative Writing Educator: Jodi DeMoss
In the spirit of Twitter, how would you describe your play in 140 characters?
A quirky high school romance that is cheesy, but lighthearted and fun!
What was something new you discovered about yourself while writing your play?
While writing this play, I discovered that it can be really fun to put your own voice and personality into different characters and express yourself. I put my sense of humor and love for rom-coms into this play and I’m happy with how it turned out.
What is your favorite line from your play?
“Marjorie, you brought your pet rat to school and said it could talk to you.”
If you could cast one known actor in your play (TV, film), who would it be, in which role, and, briefly, why?
I would cast Tom Holland as the main character, Reid, because Tom does a fantastic job at being the incredibly awkward teenage boy, which is perfect for Reid.
Of Life and Death by Elliot Harmony Hales, Junior at Salida High School
Life and Death engage in reflections about their time together in this dramatic comedy that celebrates their 4,543,907,005 birthday.
Creative Writing Educator: Jodi DeMoss
In the spirit of Twitter, how would you describe your play in 140 characters?
The embodiment of Life and Death have an existential crisis .
What was something new you discovered about yourself while writing your play?
Writing action descriptions is easier for a play than for the “traditional” book. Also, I don’t know anything about the universe.
What is your favorite line from your play?
“Thinking like a true philosopher! Or whoever those nerd-guys from ancient Greek were.”
If you could cast one known actor in your play (TV, film), who would it be, in which role, and, briefly, why?
I don’t know enough about actors to properly answer this question.
“Each year, student engagement in our playwriting program continues to grow,” said Allison Watrous, Executive Director of DCPA Education and Community Engagement. “But what continues to amaze us as theatre professionals, is that the talent of these students has grown in proportion to the program, becoming deeper, richer and more inspiring every year. The voice of the next generation of playwrights is so vibrant and authentic. I have no doubt that one of these amazing students will one day have their play produced in theatres nationally.”
On Monday, April 5, DCPA Education will announce the three Middle School and three High School winners. All six winning plays will be included in the 2021 Playwriting Anthology. Additionally, the three winning High School playwrights will receive a $250 cash prize, the opportunity to develop their script with a professional director and dramaturg, and have a reading of their play streamed live from the Seawell Ballroom on Saturday, May 1 at 2pm. Finally, each of the playwright’s teachers will receive $250 toward the purchase of books or tools for their classrooms.
The DCPA’s High School Playwriting Competition is made possible by the generous support of title sponsor AT&T, The Robert and Judi Newman Family Foundation, and Transamerica.
For more information on the Denver Center’s AT&T High School Playwriting Competition, please visit denvercenter.org.
