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Festival Selection
When I Grow Up
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When I Grow Up by Hannah W from Young Writers Project on Vimeo.
When I Grow Up
By Hannah W
Bellows Free Academy St Albans
CHARACTERS: ALICE: 7 year-old girl in second grade
DANA: 7 year-old girl in second grade
TEACHER: Age 30, patient
MOTHER: Late 20’s early 30’s, caring, sweet
SCENE: A 2nd Grade Classroom
Vermont Young Playwrights Festival -- AUDIO UPLOADED!
Young Writers Project was pleased to partner with the Flynn Center, Vermont Stage Company and a dozen schools and young playwrights in this year's 2012 Vermont Playwrights program which included the Annual Festival at FlynnSpace on May 15. The plays were fantastic. The final selections included pieces that were given cold readings, dramatic readings and then, in the evening, seven were presented by professional actors.
YWP recorded the event and streamed it live. It received 250 views by people who devoted 50 hours combined to watch the plays. YWP also had folks text their reactions to the playwrights.
WE HAVE UPLOADED AUDIO FOR ALL THE PLAYS FEATURED IN THE FESTIVAL! To read and listen, go to Final Selection. To see the texted responses, go to youngwritersproject.org/poll1. Over the next week we will make the video recordings available and will get word, via here and the Flynn, as to how playwrights can view and download the video for free.
7:30 Featured Show selections:
The Consultant by Russell Johnson of U-32
What Went Wrong by Cassie Mayer of Mt. Abraham Union High School
I'm Lost in the Woods by Leo Parini of Middlebury Union High School Read more »
The Joys of Writing a Play
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The Joys of Writing a Play
A ten minute play
by
Cole M
Williston Central School
1
CHARACTERS:
MATHEW: aspiring playwright, 22
DAVE: Mathew’s obnoxious boss, 44
CLINTON: Chef, non-speaking, 62
LORRIE: Actress, non-speaking, 40
SCENE: An office desk littered with crumpled balls of paper and sticky notes.
AT RISE: Mathew is sitting at his desk writing feverishly.
MATHEW
(shouting)
This is completely impossible!
DAVE
(nastily, from offstage)
Mathew, even for someone of your intelligence level it shouldn’t be too hard to empty a trash can.
MATHEW Read more »
The Importance of Being Ronald
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The Importance of Being Ronald
By Faith D
St. Johnsbury Academy
Character List
Ronald: late 70's, Father of Marie, has a delusion which causes him to narrate his own life.
Marie: early 40's, Wife of Leo, homemaker
Leo: mid 40's, Husband of Marie, a writer
Deandra: Teen (15-17), daughter of Leo and Marie, runs track
At Rise
In the kitchen, Leo and Deandra are sitting at the kitchen table
Deandra
Dad, can we cancel?
Leo
You know we can’t,
Deandra
Mom might not have picked him up yet! We can call her on her cell before she reaches the nursing home!
Leo
Nope Read more »
Espionage Misclassified
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ESPIONAGE MISCLASSIFIED
A ten-minute play
By
Jordan Q
Spaulding High School
Characters
HAROLD, 22-year-old Army Private-First Class
MICHELLE, 21-year-old Army Private-First Class
LIEUTENANT MYERS, 30-year-old Army Lieutenant
SERGEANT DAVIDSON, 27-year-old Army Sergeant
Setting: A military base in Massachusetts, present day.
At Rise: HAROLD and MICHELLE are casually strolling down an empty hallway in the base, having just returned from lunch. The two are discussing events of the previous evening.
HAROLD
(In a semi-casual tone)
--And then Davidson just screams, “In the name of all that is good, don’t touch my toupee!” It was so funny!
MICHELLE
(Much more seriously)
He really is touchy about that thing, isn’t he?
HAROLD Read more »
The Monster in the Closet
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THE MONSTER IN THE CLOSET
A ten-minute play
By
Stephyn O
Rock Point School
CHARACTERS: JIMMY, Eight years old HOWARD and MARTHA’S son.
HOWARD, 30’s, JIMMY’S father
MARTHA, 30’s , JIMMY’S mother
I Absolutely Agree
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I ABSOLUTELY AGREE
A ten-minute play
by
Allison VN
Peoples Academy
characters: Bridget, friend to Cameron and Darin, 16
Cameron, friend to Darin and Bridget, has a
crush on Bridget, 16
Darin, friend to Cameron and Bridget, has a
crush on Bridget, 16
SCENE: A Park
Shedding Some Lice on the Subject
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Shedding Some Lice on the Subject
A ten-minute play
by
Hannah F
Mount Abraham Union Middle and High School
CHARACTERS: SISTER HEDWIG, a nun who runs an
orphanage in Accra, Ghana
SVEN LARSON, a health inspector from Sweden
GOODLUCK, 13 year old orphan boy at SISTER
HEDWIG’s orphanage Read more »
What Went Wrong
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What Went Wrong
by Cassie M
Mt Abraham Union High School
Characters:
Will, single and in love with Rose
Rose, a waitress at Joe’s diner
Blake, Will’s best friend
Setting:
Joe’s Diner
At Rise:
WILL and BLAKE are seated at a booth, looking over menus. They are the only customers in the restaurant.
BLAKE
So, dude, are you going to ask her out today?
WILL
Yeah, I guess.
BLAKE
C’mon, man. We come here pretty much every day, and it isn’t because of the food.
WILL
I see nothing wrong with greasy burgers and slightly burnt fries.
BLAKE
My stomach disagrees. Maybe I’ll just go for the grilled cheese today.
WILL
Whatever, I don’t really –
(ROSE enters and stops to wipe down a table before walking towards WILL and BLAKE) Read more »
I'm Lost in the Woods
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I’m Lost in the Woods
A ten-minute play by
Leo P
Middlebury Union High School
CHARACTERS: MIC, a boy scout
Dewey, a bout scout
Speedy Turtle, an old man
SCENE: Out in the woods
The Tree Man
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https://vimeo.com/44051538
The Tree Man
By Cameron S
Lothrop Elementary
Characters:
Filbert: 38 year old guy that lives in his hobo hut in the middle of the woods.
John: 35 year old man that works for a logging company that is now in the process of finding good trees to chop down.
Painting for Lives
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Painting for Lives
A ten-minute play
by
Katherine M
Williston Central School
1
CHARACTERS:
JAQUES: a young artist that is running out of inspiration and creativity, 21
PIERRE ROBERTS: JAQUES agent, demanding and greedy, 42
NORA: A little girl in presence, actually an angel who inspires JAQUES, 9
SCENE: JAQUES studio
AT RISE: JAQUES talking in a stressed out tone to PIERRE over Telephone
JAQUES
I am sorry Mr. Roberts…yes sir I will try my hardest to get a last painting done by tomorrow for the show. There is a problem, I can’… I have run out of Ideas.
PIERRE ROBERTS
(Bursting through the studio Stage Right door, holding his cell phone up to his ear, then which he closes phone and clenches in his fist.) Read more »
A Brick Oven
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A Brick Oven
Jack MC
Vergennes Union High School
CHARACTER LIST: Kevin - 29 Years. Exhausted from working this job. Fed up with mundane everyday things.
George - 31 Years. Puts up with most everything, a bit bigger than Kevin.
AT RISE
KEVIN and GEORGE are working at a probation assigned factory building deconstructing boxes on a conveyer belt. The room is in shambles with racks upon racks of old boxes, books and papers.
___
KEVIN
Hello, George.
GEORGE
Hey Kevin, what’s up?
KEVIN
All the same shit, you?
GEORGE
Ha, you have to ask? Absolutely nothing man.
KEVIN
Guess I shouldn’t expect anything more from the George the great.
GEORGE
This again? Really? Whatever man let’s just get this over with.
(The men begin to work deconstructing boxes)
KEVIN
Why don’t we do more George?
GEORGE
What?
KEVIN
You know- anything else, anything- exciting.
GEORGE
Because it’s not the movies dude
KEVIN
Why can’t it be?
GEORGE
Really? You’re going to have an existential conversation about how our lives suck? Read more »
The Consultant
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The Consultant
A ten-minute play
By
Russell J
U32
CHARACTERS:
ALLEN, 30, who works at a consulting firm
BOB, 50, Allen’s boss at firm
TIM, 28, close friend of Allen who works at McDonald’s
MARGARET “MARGE”, 43, the secretary
The Crashing of Lives
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THE CRASHING OF LIVES
A ten-minute play
By
Grace W
Lamoille Union Middle School
CHARACTERS: CLAIRE: 14 years old, girl, blond hair, pretty, very
serious, wants to become very successful, smart,
parents work in the Twin Towers.
SCOTT: 14 years old, boy, black hair, good at
sports, class clown, funny, doesn’t care about
school, parents work in the Twin Towers Read more »
A Date For Four
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https://vimeo.com/44253424
A Date for Four
By Carl A
Patricia Hannaford Center
Characters in order of appearance:
DAVID - 21 years old; he is a college student waiting for his date.
WILLARD - 35 years old; a local drunk that comes to the bar every night.
DANTE – 20 years old; a bitter bartender.
VERONICA – 21 years old; she is David’s date for the evening.
At Rise:
DAVID sits impatiently at a bar stool and constantly checks the time on his watch. Every time he checks he grows more impatient. And every second seems slightly more painful than the last.
DAVID
Alright, maybe I should go. She's obviously not going to show up. Man, why did I ask her out on a date? She probably doesn't even like me. She just said yes to get rid of me... How could I be so stupid?
(Suddenly WILLARD enters from behind DAVID and taps his shoulder; DAVID doesn't respond.)
WILLARD
Excuse me, you seem to me like you require some mental guidance.
DAVID Read more »
Double Dog Dare You
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Double Dog Dare You
A ten minute play by Barbara T
Edmunds Middle School
CHARACTERS: FRANKIE, a 3rd grader-- manipulative of Brian
BRIAN, a 3rd grader-- dorky, easily taken advantage of
SHIRLEY, a 4th grader-- sucks up to Stella Read more »
Crazy Love
This Last Farewell
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THIS LAST FAREWELL
A ten-minute play
by
Patrick T
U32
CHARACTERS: JASON, Sarah’s dead fiancés, 26
SARAH, Jason’s grieving fiancés, 24
PAM, a friend of Sarah’s, 24
SCENE: Sarah’s apartment
AT RISE: Sarah walks through the front door of her apartment, followed closely by Jason. She proceeds to put things away while Jason paces through the room.
Sarah can’t see, hear or touch Jason for he is a ghost in the scene.
JASON
You have no idea how long I waited outside for you to come along and open that door for me.
SARAH
I just couldn’t find anything I was looking for today.
Road Trip
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Road Trip
By
Cullen B
St. Johnsbury Academy
Characters:
Jim, 48, husband of Joan
Joan, 46, wife of Jim
Madison, 16, their daughter
Jackson, 12, their son
At Rise: Lights up revealing 4 chairs on stage, representing seats in a car. Jim, Joan, Madison, and Jackson are in the car.
Jim
We are going to have such a great time at the Cabot Cheese Factory! They have samples! Samples!
Jackson
Oh boy, Dad! Do you think they have Gouda?
Joan
Oh, Jackson, I’m sure they have more than just Gouda…Just imagine the variety of cheeses…Feta, Gouda, Sharp Cheddar! And probably tons of other cheeses that we’ve never even heard of!
Jackson
Wow!
Jim
And we’re not just going to the cheese factory everyone. I wanted to keep this a surprise, but… We’re going on a Cherry Tree Hill Yarn Factory Tour!
Joan
Oh, Jim that sounds so exciting! You are so great at planning vacations! (Hugs Jim)
Jim
I knew you’d love that. Listen to the description in this here brochure you are going to flip out! (Opens a brochure and reads) Join us for a tour of the modern production facility where Cheryl Potter handpaints the world famous yarn.
(pause) Read more »
Tiger Lily Eulogy
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TIGER LILY EULOGY
By
Kiana LF
Spaulding High School
CHARACTERS: Sasha McAllister: 18. A girl in mourning.
Ross McAllister: 45. The single Father of Sasha.
Ryder Wells: 19. A childhood friend of Sasha. Read more »
Shameful
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Shameful
a short play by
Elie S
Rock Point School
CHARACTERS: HOWARD, 28 and a father
JEREMY, 32 brother of Howard
SCENE: Howard’s home
AT RISE: Jeremy is sitting in the kitchen while Howard is cooking an important meal for a dinner party for his wife’s birthday. It’s 7:35 pm.
HOWARD
What was so important that you needed to come over right away? I have a lot to do before everybody gets here. Read more »
Cash or Check?
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CASH OR CHECK?
A ten minute play
by
Emily M
Peoples Academy
CHARACTERS: KELLY, 22 years old, politician, confident
OZIAS, 28 years old, assassin hired to kill Kelly,
terrible at keeping secrets and deciphering social
cues
MIKE, 24 years old, hired Ozias, Kelly’s ex-lover,
alcoholic billionaire
SCENE: At a bar.
AT RISE: Ozias cleans mugs behind bar. Enter Kelly.
OZIAS
Good evening, ma’am.
KELLY
Evening. Give me a White Russian.
OZIAS
Right away.
KELLY
How’s your evening been?
OZIAS
Fine. I’ve been trying to deal with drunk ass holes all night.
KELLY
Reminds me of my ex boyfriend, Mike. He was rich, but he was an ass hole.
OZIAS
Sounds like you’re glad to be out of that relationship.
KELLY Read more »
Shrinking Sencability
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SHRINKING SENCABILITY
A ten minute play
By:
Zoe CB
Mt. Abraham Union Middle/ High School
CHARACTERS: JONATHAN BENSWORTH, a shrink, 49
SARA LYNN, receptionist, a little off, 42
BILL SAHMLY, patient, a nervous drunk, 51
NICK CHROUT, patient, 37
SCENE: JONATHAN’s Office
The Worst Play Ever
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The Worst Play Ever
A ten-minute play
by
Kelsey G
Mt. Abraham Union High School
Scene 1 (and only)
Characters: ADDY, 22, Journalist,
MARK, 24, Graphic designer,
ACTOR, 25, MARK'S sister, unskilled and overdramatic
AT RISE: ADDY Enters the theater and sits down, grumbling and pulling out
her notebook, making a general fuss.
MARK
Well don't get too upset, the play hasn't even started yet.
ADDY
I'm not upset, why would I be upset? The only reason I could possibly think of for me being upset right now is that I'm seated next to one of those "I like to be friends with everybody and talk during performances" type of people.
MARK
(Taken aback)
Oops, I guess I hit the sarcasm button.
ADDY starts to retort, but the lights go down and the play starts.
ACTOR
(ONSTAGE, horribly overdramatic)
OH! We are forsaken! There's no hope left!
ADDY groans and leans back in her seat.
MARK
(Whispers to ADDY) Read more »
34 B
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34 B
A ten-minute one-act play
Written by Elise B
Middlebury Union High School
Characters
FLIGHT ATTENDANT- Young attractive woman
BRAD- Womanizer, 23
QUENTIN- Mormon, 19
INTERCOM
SETTING: plane on a runway, just before takeoff
SCENE: Lights up on QUENTIN as he settles into his seat, arranging himself and his coat.
BRAD enters stage right with swagger. He fishes his ticket out of the inside of his coat. The takeoff instructions can be heard in the background. The plane begins taxiing down the runway as BRAD settles in.
BRAD
34 B, ah 34 B… here we go. (Beat) 34 B… I love the way that sounds… I don’t know about you, but Lord, so many images with that for me. Actually, more of the pictures are 36 D’s, but there’s only so much you can do-
QUENTIN
(underneath)
I’m sure our Lord Jesus Christ would rather not---
BRAD
Besides, 36 D would be a middle seat, and with that there’s far too high a probability of being stuck with a fat old broad for hours. Jeez- nothing but Oprah. You watch Oprah?
QUENTIN
(Sighs)
No, I’m more of a Desperate Housewives personality, don’t you think?
BRAD
Ah, a clever one!
Where you headed?
QUENTIN
Nevada.
The Forgetful Magician
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THE FORGETFUL MAGICIAN
By Katy P
Lothrop Elementary School
CHARACTERS:
Mr. MagiSen: a 61 year old forgetful magician. He is married to Julia MagiSen.
Julia MagiSen: a 26 year old who vanishes thanks to her husband, Mr. MagiSen.
Judge Fou Jij: a 53 year old judge, whose birthday it is and who the magician is performing for.
Mr. Valise: a 37 year old detective who is guilty of making Mr. MagiSen disappear.
AT RISE:
Audience sees the judge sitting at a table, and the magician starts to perform small tricks.
Mr. MagiSen:
(Bows) Happy birthday, Judge Fou Jij! I, Mr. MagiSen the Magnificent, will find any card you pick instantly! Pick a card, any card. No! Not that one! Try this one! Now... is this your card? No? How about this one? Still no, huh? Well, sir, is this your card?
Judge Fou Jij:
(Bored) Yes, sir, that's my card.
Mr. MagiSen:
The Job
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THE JOB
A ten-minute play
by Francesca D
Lamoille Union Middle School
Page-1
CHARACTERS: ANNA MARIE, want to be bar tender, 24
NORMAN TRUNKLE, owner of the bar, 50
CINDY, Norman’s trophy wife, 38
SCENE: A local bar in New York, New York that has an opening for a bartender
AT RISE: Cindy and Norman. Norman is smoking, playing cards, and drinking whiskey while his wife, Cindy, is running around re-filling his glass, trying to talk to him but he keeps shooing her away.
NORMAN TRUNKLE
Cindy, go make me a sandwich! And refill my drink! Come on keep up!
CINDY
Sorry, sweetie, I was trying to get a customer settled.
NORMAN TRUNKLE Read more »
Cut, Out
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Cut, Out
Jack DV
Patricia A. Hannaford Career Center
Characters:
Steve Frost, 49, Father of Peter and Jacob. a forester
Jacob Frost, 18, son
Peter Frost, 13, son
At rise: the woods, early morning, there is a stump and a chainsaw. Peter Runs on
PETER
Ah, there you are. (Grabs saw. JACOB and STEVE enter) See, Dad, it’s fine.
STEVE
Say that now but when that saw binds up and cuts your hand off you don't come crying to me Pete.
JACOB
Give him a break, man, he's just a kid. You're fine, Peter. I used to leave my saw out all the time, and I'm still intact.
STEVE
That's great, Jacob, teach the kid how to slack off and put his life in danger.
JACOB
Dad, leaving his saw out in the woods isn't going to kill him. Lay off.
STEVE
Peter, you got any fuel in that saw?
PETER
Uh, about a quarter of a tank.
STEVE
Alright, run back to the truck and fuel up.
JACOB
It's alright, Pete, I only have a half a tank, I'll just grab the jug.
STEVE
Tell you what, Pete, seeing as though you were the one who forgot his saw, you can go grab the jug.
PETER
Ugh, ok, I’ll be right back.
JACOB
Dad, it's alright, I've got it
STEVE
Go, Peter!
JACOB Read more »
U-G-L-Y
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U-G-L-Y.
A ten minute play by:
Kelsey MG
Edmunds Middle School
CHARACTERS: STEPHEN PSCHETTI, Mid 20’s, Worker at Betts’s Used Cars.
TAYLOR BETTS, 17, Boss’s daughter, mean.
SYDNEY BROWN, 17, Taylor’s best friend. The nicer one.
CUSTOMER, Mid 30’s. Shopping at Mike’s Used Cars.
SCENE: BETT’S USED CARS. MID DAY, SPRING TIME.
AT RISE: Lights on. TAYLOR and SYDNEY standing talking about STEPHEN who is talking to a customer.
