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Finalists and Winners Announced for the 2023 Student Playwriting Competition
The Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA) is proud to announce the winning plays as part of its tenth annual Middle School & High School Playwriting Competition, which has impacted more than 25,000 students since its inception in 2013.
This year, the DCPA received 179 total submissions from 22 counties across Colorado. After careful review by a panel of artistic, literary and theatre education professionals, DCPA Education and Community Engagement is pleased to announce the winners of the 2023 Middle School & High School Playwriting Competition:
2023 HIGH SCHOOL PLAYWRITING FINALISTS:
The Accident
Dysnomia Kelley, Sophomore | Girls Athletic Leadership School
If you could cast one known actor in your play (TV, film) who would it be, in which role, and briefly why?
Maya Hawke as Mara because she is able to portray sadness, anger, and fear so beautifully. She would be the perfect actress to fill this role.
The Amazing Maximilian
Isabella Gernazio, Senior | The Arts Academy at Pueblo County High School
If you could cast one known actor in your play (TV, film) who would it be, in which role, and briefly why?
I would have Roman Griffin Davis play Max. I think he is a phenomenal young actor and could play a very fun-loving character, as we’ve seen in JoJo Rabbit.
Face Your Fears
Elliot Sikes, Senior | The Arts Academy at Pueblo County High School
What is your favorite line from your play?
“Of course, I was scared but life is more than being afraid. It’s about doing what makes you happy, even if that makes you scared or it’s difficult to do.”
The Garden in Heaven
Isabella Garamova, Senior | Cherry Creek High School
What was something new you discovered about yourself while writing your play?
While writing this play and making the top ten has given me the confidence to pursue screenwriting as a profession, the play has more deeply affected me in teaching me to open my heart more and the potential repercussions of not doing so.
My First Crush Is Out of This World, Literally
Emma McDonald, Sophomore | The Arts Academy at Pueblo County High School
What is your favorite line from your play?
Adhara: “You both kiss and he just skedaddles back into his Spaceship.”
A New Entry to the Self
Sydney Roberts, Freshman | Montezuma-Cortez High School
What was something new you discovered about yourself while writing your play?
It’s really hard to figure out how to create a script that’d be transferable to all types of people! Like, I’m pretty sure this play caters to me, and me alone, so figuring out some ways to make it relatable to others was a bit of a challenge.
Whisper of the Wolves
Shawn McAllister, Sophomore | Montezuma-Cortez High School
What was something new you discovered about yourself while writing your play?
While writing this play, I discovered that I enjoy writing plays a lot more than I expected. Being more dialogue focused, they can be difficult to write, but I enjoy challenging myself to go beyond my comfort zone.
2023 HIGH SCHOOL PLAYWRITING WINNERS:
A Curious Couple
Elliet Johnson, Freshman | The Arts Academy at Pueblo County High School
A lonely, elderly woman summons the devil to join her for a cup of coffee.
What was something new you discovered about yourself while writing your play?
I discovered that I absolutely love writing and developing characters that I have written. It was so amazing to be able to come up with my own characters and be able to have them be how I picture them.
From the Beginning to the Edge
Hayden Ferrandino, Freshman | South High School
A bittersweet story of friendship based on the playwright’s own experiences.
What is your favorite line from your play?
“I just wish you were here. Teasing me about my height or my age. It feels like a different world, now that you’re not in it. But hey! I’m older than you now so you can’t tease me anymore. And I’ll see you soon. That is one promise I will keep.”
Players, Staged
Penelope Letter, Freshman | Peak to Peak Charter School
A group of untrained, young, queer actors attempt to put on their own production of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night.
What was something new you discovered about yourself while writing your play?
I have always found the lack of queer characters in current media a bit upsetting…So when writing this play and seeing how the characters unfold in their own unique ways, I realized that in order to have people represent who I am, I need to be part of the solution instead of just hoping the solution will come one day.
2023 MIDDLE SCHOOL PLAYWRITING WINNERS:
Day of the Dead Sisters
Izabella Ferrell, 8th grade | Carmody Middle School
Twin sisters who passed away in a car accident realize the importance of family on Dia de los Muertos.
If you could cast one known actor in your play (TV, film) who would it be, in which role, and briefly why?
I think best fit to represent my story would be these two young actresses Isabela Merced and Jenna Ortega. Isabela would play Guadalupe and Jenna would play Luna. I chose them both because they’re young upcoming Latina actresses.
The Project
Liesel Walker, 6th grade | North Routt Community Charter School
A homeless girl teaches a new friend that every person has their own story to tell.
What was something new you discovered about yourself while writing your play?
I learned that the right idea makes writing easier.
Wedding March
Kaylee Madrid, 8th grade | Carmody Middle School
A young woman is torn between her family’s expectations and being with her true love.
What is your favorite line from your play?
“Please don’t wait for me. You have so much waiting for you.”
The top three plays by each age group will be included in the 2023 Playwriting Anthology and the three winning high school plays will receive a public staged reading as part of the 2023 Colorado New Play Summit, running February 25 & 26. Additionally, each winner will receive a $250 prize and each of the playwrights’ teachers will receive $250 toward the purchase of books or tools for their classrooms.
The DCPA’s Middle School & High School Playwriting Competition is made possible by our generous sponsors: Robert & Judi Newman, Transamerica, Chevron Corporation, and The Tomblin Family Foundation.
For more information on the DCPA’s in-school programs, please visit denvercenter.org/education/for-educators/