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VYP 2011
New Partnership
In May 2011, Young Writers Project began partnering with the Flynn Center for Performing Arts and Vermont Stage Company and its Vermont Young Playwrights program for the 2011/2012 school year. This fabulous residency pairs professional playwrights with selected groups of students in school residencies to create 10-minute plays. The finished plays are then juried and the best are presented by professional actors in either "cold readings" or "featured presentations" at the annual VYP Festival at FlynnSpace. Read more »
American Atlas -- #23
This play was given a cold reading by actors at the VYP 2011 Festival.
By Craig Preavy
Peoples Academy
CHARACTERS:
JOHN, 28 soldier on leave
GABBY, 27 John’s ex from high school
CORY, 17 mugger and two-bit hood
OFF-STAGE VOICE
AT RISE: the audience sees JOHN and GABBY sitting across from each on the subway car.
JOHN
Hi
(GABBY is working on her phone, and looks up to see JOHN looking at her)
GABBY
Hi, first time in New York?
JOHN
Yeah, I haven’t gotten used to all of the hustle and bustle yet.
GABBY
Ha, don’t worry you will.
JOHN
It feels so alien; I’ve never actually seen the city before.
Stuck at Sea -- #2
This play was given a cold reading by actors at the VYP 2011 Festival.
By Margo Nolan
Lothrop Elementary School
CHARACTERS:
NATALIE, very picky, sister of Ian,loves everything perfect 16 years old
IAN, loves sailing with dad, brother of Natalie 15 years old
SCENE: On a sailboat in the middle of the ocean
AT RISE: Natalie is lying on the deck of the boat and Ian is steering the boat and coiling the ropes
NATALIE
Ian why did you even have to take me out on this stupid old sailboat?
IAN
It wasn’t even my idea! You wanted to go and tan in the middle of the ocean on our sailboat.
NATALIE
But, I didn’t think it would be this awful!
IAN
You agreed to help me man the sailboat but now were stuck in the middle of the ocean because you won’t help me because you are wearing you $50 pink bikini and your Victoria Secret flip flops.
Parallel Exposure -- #19
This play was given a cold reading by actors at the VYP 2011 Festival.
By Victorya Gonzales
Middlebury Union High School
CHARACTERS:
GRIFFIN, griffin in the guise of a man,looks about 50
TAVROS, young man, 26
SCENE: A prison cell
AT RISE: Light comes on as TAVROS is thrown into the cell. GRIFFIN is sitting on the first of two cots, looking in the opposite direction.
TAVROS
(Trips to the ground)
Come back here, you son of a bitch – come back! Why am I here?! Come back, you –
GRIFFIN
It doesn't do no good, kid. The shoutin’. Others've tried it, and it just pisses 'em off.
TAVROS
(Scrambles up)
Pisses who off? What's going on? Why am I here?
GRIFFIN
Do you ever talk in somethin' other than questions? Might as well shut up and settle in for the long haul. You're gonna be here for a while.
TAVROS
But what did I do?
Company Policies -- #6
You may need: Adobe Flash Player.
This play was given a cold reading by actors at the VYP 2011 Festival.
By Thomas Lang
Williston Central School
CHARACTERS: GEORGE, impatient, early fifties
ELMIRA, receptionist, slightly elderly, always follows every rule
BETTY, another customer, mid thirties
ROBERT, another customer, mid sixties, slightly crazy
SCENE: Waiting room of a small but busy company.
AT RISE: ELMIRA is sitting at her desk. GEORGE walks in.
GEORGE
Hi. I’m here to--
ELMIRA
--If you need something, you need to take a number.
GEORGE
But I just--
ELMIRA
--Number!
GEORGE
OK...
(takes a number)
...Number seventeen. Read more »
Florence & Josephine
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This play was given a cold reading by actors at the VYP 2011 Festival.
By Lily Penberthy
Lamoille Union Middle School
Read more »
Spare Change -- #26
This play was given a featured presentation by professional actors at the VYP 2011 Festival. (Language alert.)
By Elise Biette
Middlebury Union High School
CHARACTERS:
CHILD - girl 7-8
MAN - homeless, age undeterminable
TIME & PLACE: A modern-day public fountain
AT RISE: Lights up, CHILD is standing at right side of fountain, eyes scrunched shut, hands clasped together like in prayer, then throws a penny into the fountain and sighs loudly. MAN enters whistling and goes to the left side of the fountain.
MAN (singing):
“A big hole in your smile, that once was so pretty --”
Oh! A lotta shine today!
(Rolls up pant cuff and steps into fountain.)
SHIT that’s cold!
CHILD:
What are you doing?
Violet Hill -- #11
This play was selected for a featured presentation at the VYP 2011 festival.
By Zack Stevens
St. Johnsbury Academy
Characters:
Teddy, age 18, patient at a hospital
Phill, age 17, Teddy’s former best friend. The two still talk but they don’t hang out much anymore
Annabell, age 19, Teddy’s ex-girlfriend, his one and only love.
At rise: Teddy is sitting in a chair that’s been pulled up to the window opposite the door. His legs are crossed and he’s thinking quietly, admiring the view. Enter Phill.
Phill
Hey.
Teddy
Hi.
Phill
Happy birthday!
Teddy
(Pause) Thanks.
Phill
So… you made it to the lounge, that’s good, right?
Teddy
It would be better if I didn’t need the IV.
Phill
Right. (Awkward pause) So… they let you in the lounge because it’s your birthday?
Assassin's Mead -- #20
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This play was selected for a "cold reading" by actors at the VYP 2011 Festival.
By Luke Calzini
Mt. Abraham Union High School
CHARACTERS:
GERALD, bartender at local bar, 48
OLIVIA customer at bar, 32
ANTONIO, her husband, 34
MAGNUS, an assassin at the bar, 35
SCENE: Bar
AT RISE: Olivia is casually sitting next to Antonio. She is wearing tight pants and shirt. Her hair is in a ponytail. Her husband is wearing black pants and a black shirt. Gerald is behind the bar, drying cups and putting them on a shelf. The lighting is dim, very quiet music in the background. There are no other customers in the bar.
MAGNUS enters stage right, causing GERALD to look his way.
GERALD
Howdy there! What can I get for ya?
MAGNUS
(With a slight, Russian accent)
Um, how ‘bout a double scotch on the rocks. Read more »
Paste -- #4
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By Dana Jiao
Edmunds Middle School
CHARACTERS:
ALYSSA, age 5 (should sound like age 15)
JOSH, age 5 (should sound like age 15)
SAM, age 6 (Should sound like age 21)
(Lights up on a lunch table)
(ALYSSA [5 years old] sits alone eating lunch. JOSH [5 years old] enters. JOSH sits down beside ALYSSA at the table. He sets down his lunch box, and tries making conversation with ALYSSA...)
JOSH
Hey.
ALYSSA
Hi.
JOSH
How 'bout those coloring books?
ALYSSA
It can be so hard staying inside the lines sometimes!
What Friends Are For -- #8
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This play was selected for a "cold reading" at the VYP 2011 Festival.
By Genevieve Chiola
Mt. Abraham Union Middle School
CHARACTERS:
VIRGINIA, a shy bully victim, 12
JESSA, a friend of VIRGINIA, 13
JASMINE, a bully, 13
MACY, JASMINE’S follower, 13
SCENE: School Cafeteria
AT RISE: Curtains rise and lights fade on. A school bell rings and there is an empty cafeteria with a single table and 4 chairs in the middle of the room. Voices are heard in the offstage, slowly becoming louder.
MACY (offstage)
I can’t believe we have to read that stupid book; it’s like, for kindergarteners!
(MACY enters, elbows linked with JASMINE)
JASMINE
Are you kidding me! I’m not going to read that! I don’t care what Ms. Croster says, I’m renting the movie!
MACY
Good idea, me too!
JASMINE and MACY
Ha ha ha ha ha!
(JESSA and VIRGINIA enter, deep in conversation)
Method Acting - #25
This play was selected for featured presentation at the YWP 2011 Festival
By Christopher Castano
Champlain Valley Union High School
CHARACTERS:
ZEKE, Aspiring actor/best friend to TONY, 18
TONY, Aspiring actor/best friend to ZEKE, 18
JOHNNY, New Yorker, 26
VITO, New Yorker, 43
SCENE: A New York subway car at three in the morning.
AT RISE: Johnny is handcuffing ZEKE and TONY to a pole in a subway car. Read more »
You're Never Alone
This play receive an honorable mention at the VYP 2011 Festival.
By Zoe Shamis
Edmunds Middle School
CHARACTERS:
AMELIA - protagonist - somewhat normal, has extreme anger issues, doesn’t like her hallucinations, schizophrenic (audience doesn’t find out until the end)
ARIANA - imaginary, antagonist - sweet, innocent, child-like
AUDREY - imaginary, antagonist - calm, peaceful, somewhat mature, somewhat spiritual
DOCTOR - jokes around, is kind to patients
SETTING: In an empty room w/ chair and bed
AT RISE: AMELIA sitting in chair
AMELIA
(to herself)
I’m sooooo lonely, I wish someone was here to keep me company...
ARIANA
(enters w/ AUDREY)
Hey Amelia!
AMELIA
(frowns, glares at ARIANA)
I didn’t mean you two...
AUDREY
Now, now, Amelia, don’t be rude!
Conspiratorial Betrayals -- #18
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By Isaiah Mann
Champlain Valley Union High
CHARACTERS:
MATTIMEO: a 37 yr. old robber
DONNY: a 39 yr. old lockpick
MARTIN: a 34 yr. old hacker
GARTH: a 41 yr. old criminal
SCENE: An Abandoned Warehouse
AT RISE: DONNY, MARTIN, and GARTH are standing
around the money. MATTIMEO enters.
MATTIMEO
Okay boys, how much did we get?
GARTH
Not so fast, we have to figure out our shares first. Read more »
Damsels Who Distress -- #12
This play was selected for featured presentation at the VYP 2011 Festival
By Mary Chambers
Edmunds Middle School
CHARACTERS:
CASSIDY:Early 20s
TOBIN: Mid 20s
MORGAN:Early 20s
TOBIN: Mid 20s
MORGAN:Early 20s
SCENE: A tall tower in the middle of a huge fortress.
AT RISE: TOBIN climbs up the vines to the room where CASSIDY is held
TOBIN
I’m so close! This had better be worth it. I’m sure this one will love me!
(A young woman sits in a chair in the tower)
CASSIDY
Oh no, not another one! Hmm, should I shove this one down too?
TOBIN
(Clears throat) Hark! Art thou Princess Cassidy of Divin?
CASSIDY
Umm, who are you?
TOBIN
I asked first!
CASSIDY
Yes, I am, why?
(TOBIN climbs to top and bows to CASSIDY)
Procrastination -- #27
This play was selected for featured presentation at the VYP 2011 Festival.
By Phoebe Doane
Mt. Abraham Union High School
Characters:
SARAH- Teen trying to write a play
INNER SELF- Trying to keep Sarah on track
MOM- Typical mother, trying to get her daughter to do her homework
At Rise:
Sarah is sitting a a desk, pencil in hand, trying to write. In a chair next to her sits her inner self.
SARAH
(Throwing her pencil down)
I'm never going to finish this! It's not going to happen. I'm just one person.
INNER SELF
You've had this assignment for almost a month. You've had plenty of time to write it.
SARAH
Shut it, you sound like my mother. Who even invited you here.
INNER SELF
I go where you go. I am you. Well, that's not entirely true. I am the successful part of you. I'm the one who can actually focus for more than three seconds.
SARAH
It's not my fault! I was born with the attention span of a small rodent. If anything, blame genetics... or something like that.
Baby Don't Worry -- #16
This play was selected for a featured presentation at VYP 2011 Festival.
By Julia Stitely
Hazen Union High School
CHARACTERS:
Mr. Blithe is a pessimistic man of around 35.
Ms. Well is a hypochondriac woman of around 31.
Dr. Pique is a life counselor of around 47.
SCENE: In Dr. Pique’s waiting room.
AT RISE: Mr. Blithe is looking at a magazine while Ms. Well types on her laptop and glances at Mr. Blithe.
Mr. Blithe
(Mumbles)
Marriages … they always end.
Ms. Well
(Looks and him and begins typing furiously, then stops and scans her screen)
Mr. Blithe
(Mumbles)
It just never works. I don’t even know why people bother. Why did I ever bother? I was young and naïve, that’s why. Stupid. And look at me now, I have the worst life ever. I would admire a person with a worse life than me.
Ms. Well
I couldn’t help but overhearing what you were saying, and perhaps you have dysthymia.
Boo! -- #15
This play was selected for featured presentation at the VYP 2011 Festival
By Hannah Funk
Mt. Abraham Union Middle/High School
CHARACTERS:
GERALD, a ghost who wants to be scary but is actually pretty wimpy. About 300 years old
PHILOMENA, a nerdy but plucky 13 year old girl
SCENE: Philomena’s attic
AT RISE: Philomena’s attic is still and silent. Gerald floats through the window of the attic.
GERALD
This is perfect - dark, gloomy - everything a ghost could wish for! At last, a house of my very own to haunt! I can’t believe it! All of my dreams have finally come true! Wait, what was that noise?
(Sound of a door squeaking open. GERALD retreats into a corner. PHILOMENA enters carrying a diary and wearing a nightgown. She doesn’t see GERALD. She sits down on a couch in the attic and starts to write in the diary, composing aloud.)
PHILOMENA
Dear Diary. Today I went to the first meeting of the school newspaper committee. I’m really looking forward to discovering an exciting story to write about! Polly wouldn’t sit with me at lunch again, though. I don’t know if she even wants to be my friend anymore. Sincerely, Philomena Edna Peterson.
(PHILOMENA sighs and closes the diary. PHILOMENA exits attic through the door, carrying her diary. GERALD comes out from the corner)
GERALD
And my haunted house even comes with a person to scare! Hundreds of years of searching and waiting have finally paid off! The next time that Philomena Edna Peterson comes up here I’ll give her a scare she won’t forget in a hurry! Oooooooooooooh!
(GERALD hides behind the couch, waiting to scare PHILOMENA. A moment later PHILOMENA reenters, carrying a flashlight.)
LockDown -- #14
This play was selected for featured presentation at the VYP 2011 Festival
By Sean Yarolin
Williston Central School
Characters:
GARY- An average student who lives to make other people laugh.
ALICE – An uptight person who is obsessed with following the rules
SIDNEY – A goth girl who likes to be different from others. Speaks in a monotone
SPEAKER VOICE – The voice in the sky, probably Mr. Ferrindino
SCENE: Math room, 12:00 PM.
AT RISE: ALICE and GARY are sitting at desks. ALICE is working, GARY is bored
GARY
Hurry up, Alice! It’s almost time for lunch!
ALICE
Hold on, hold on! I’m almost done!
GARY
That’s what you said 5 minutes ago!
ALICE
Well, I really mean it this time! I really want to get an A on this! Just three more questions, ok?
GARY
Why are you so obsessed with getting perfect grades? I’m happy if I have a B.
ALICE
Which is why I will be successful while you have some low paying job that you hate! If I don’t pass this, I won’t get into Yale!
Played #30
This play was chosen for a featured presentation at the VYP 2011 Festival. (Language alert)
By Emily Mullaney
People’s Academy
CHARACTERS:
JOE is twenty seven and is Kenny’s friend.
KENNY is twenty seven.
HENRY is their friend, and he’s twenty six.
CLAIRE is a girl that cheated on Kenny with Joe, but neither knew until she spilled. They promised never to talk to her or about her again. She’s twenty eight.
[Scene: Joe’s bedroom]
AT RISE: Joe is lying in bed and Kenny enters.
Talking to Stragers #10
This play was chosen for a featured presentation at VYP 2011 Festival
By Eliana Murphy
Lothrop Elementary School
CHARACTERS:
LIBBY: 12 years old, Curious and Opinionated, Stranger to Mr. Smith
MR. SMITH: 40 years old, Forward and Cranky, Stranger to Libby
MR. SMITH: 40 years old, Forward and Cranky, Stranger to Libby
AT RISE: Libby and Mr. Smith sitting in two chairs side-by-side both looking forward
LIBBY
Eeew, I can’t believe my mother is making me do this. Riding on a subway is disgusting! (Stares at Mr. Smith).
MR. SMITH
Excuse me young lady, but don’t you know it’s rude to stare at people.
LIBBY
Well, sorry, but--I mean, a man like you, you know-- in a suit.
MR.SMITH
I happen to think it is a very nice suit, is there a problem with it?
LIBBY
I can’t believe you would risk getting your suit dirty. You’re on a disgusting subway.
MR.SMITH
The subway is not disgusting—it’s just another form of transportation like the bus.
Miss Virginia Pickens #29
This play was selected for a featured presentation at the VYP 2011 Festival. Read more »
Three Brothers #22
This play was selected for a "cold reading" at the VYP 2011 Festival
By Mary Lawton
Bellows Free Academy St. Albans
Characters: ARTHUR, a forty year old portly man with graying hair.
BENJAMIN, a twenty-one year old man with brown hair. CALEB, a nine year old boy with blonde hair and blue eyes. JACOB, a seventeen year old boy with dark hair and dark eyes.
Scene: It is midnight in an alleyway near an office building.
At Rise: The three sons are crouched behind a dumpster waiting for their father to come out of work.
JACOB
Ben, what are we doing here?
BENJAMIN
I told you, you didn’t have to come. I just need to talk to someone.
JACOB
You can quit the act Ben; I know you’re here to see Arthur.
BENJAMIN
He’s our father Jake, and I just need to know why.
JACOB
Who cares why? Either way she’s gone…
BENJAMIN
Jake, not in front of Caleb.
JACOB
If it hadn’t been for him we wouldn’t have to worry about bringing Caleb with us everywhere we go and he wouldn’t be…
Hell and Elves #5
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This play was selected for a "cold reading" at the VYP 2011 Festival.
By Nicole Kish
Hazen Union School Grade 10
Characters:
HOLLY: Age 19, the leader of the “rebels.” Also an elf.
JOY: Age 19, does everything in her power to stop the rebels. Also an elf.
GEORGE: Age 21, is usually drunk or smoking. Also an elf.
At Rise:
Holly, George, and Joy are in a toy workshop. They are trying to put together a to-scale stuffed tiger. They are cold and tired.
HOLLY
(Stops working) Stupid stuffed tiger! I can’t take this anymore!
JOY
What Holly? Isn’t making toys for the good boys and girls of the world fun?
GEORGE
Oh please. Who cares about these stupid brats. All they care about are how many toys they’re gonna get for Christmas.
JOY
Oh George. You’re not in the toy-making spirit. I say we sing some songs. Toyland, Toyland!
Six O'Clock News #1
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This play was selected to receive a "Cold Reading" at the VYP Festival 2011
By KIana S. Lafleche
Spaulding High School
Characters:
COURTNEY WILDSTAN, Female co-anchor, 31
RICH WATERS, Male news anchor, 33
SUNNY RAINS, Weathergirl, 25
VOICE, Voice from offstage, either man or woman
Scene:
The set of the Six O’clock news during a live broadcast.
At Rise: Read more »
Fast Food Romance #13
This play was chosen for a featured presentation at VYP 2011.
By Arthur Schwab
Lamoille Union Middle School
Characters: ANNIE; a very beautiful cashier, 19
MAC; a handsome, well-dressed man, 21
REGINALD; a suave young man, 25
Setting: Typical fast food restaurant, 10 PM, no customers.
At Rise: Annie is leaning on counter in restaurant.
MAC
(Mac walks in tiredly, but with pride up to the register, places hands flat on desk, and tries to yawn, mouth open wide. Annie stands up. He gives up after about 10 seconds)
ANNIE
Tired huh?
MAC
Too tired to know.
(They share a smile)
ANNIE
You know I have the same problem…
MAC
What?
