Welcome to “Playwright Highlight” — your unique backstage go to the inventive minds crafting the unimaginable performs featured in our Theatrefolk catalogue. Uncover the magic, quirks, and genius of the playwrights who assist convey the stage to life. Let’s meet one among these distinctive playwrights who affords the prospect to your scholar performers to shine of their highlight.
What impressed you to begin writing performs particularly for highschool & center college college students?
Once I began writing practically 30 years in the past, I noticed a necessity within the youth marketplace for performs that have been relatable to teenagers. I wished to make performs that they might establish with.
Are you able to share a bit about your inventive course of when growing performs that resonate with college students?
I’m a instructor and director at a neighborhood highschool, so I am surrounded by children on a regular basis. Once I write a brand new script, the scholars assist me loads with shaping it and making it extra “teen” pleasant.
Are there any challenges you face when writing for scholar performers, and the way do you overcome them?
A giant problem is simply maintaining on what’s cool and what’s not. What slang phrases are getting used? What stands the take a look at of time and what’s simply the flavour of the month? The scholars hold me in test : )
What themes or messages do you goal to convey by means of your performs?
It is okay to be totally different. Know-how is evil. All we’d like is love.
How do you stability schooling and enjoyable in your scripts?
It may be a superb line typically, however I at all times wish to have enjoyable first. The schooling comes typically when college students must analysis or discover that means behind the textual content.
Are you able to share a memorable expertise or suggestions from a scholar efficiency that left an affect on you?
I’ve had fairly just a few really. The most recent one was throughout my efficiency of who’re we, who we’re when exhibiting it to our scholar physique. I swear you can have heard a pin drop within the theatre, they have been so invested in watching the present. After the present, a number of college students went to see our steering counselor to hunt assist with their anxiousness and melancholy.
Any recommendation for academics or administrators trying to decide on partaking and age-appropriate performs for his or her scholar performers?
Theatrefolk is a good useful resource. Begin there.
What’s your favorite play you’ve got written up to now?
Anything you would like college students and/or administrators to find out about you as a playwright?
I like to listen to suggestions on reveals and see photos. Do not be afraid to contact me and ship photos. I might like to submit them on my social media platforms.
