Announcing: The 20th Annual Young Playwrights Festival Chooses Winners

THE BLANK THEATRE’S 20TH ANNUAL
YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL CHOOSES WINNERS

12 PLAYS BY THE NATION’S BRIGHTEST YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS
WILL BE PERFORMED AT THE STELLA ADLER THEATRE IN HOLLYWOOD
MAY 31 – JUNE 24
FEATURES YOUNGEST PLAYWRIGHT IN YPF’S HISTORY

Now celebrating its 20th Anniversary, The Blank Theatre’s Nationwide Young Playwrights Festival has chosen 12 plays by young playwrights, aged 9 -19, from nine different states. These plays will be presented by professional actors and directors in this year’s festival at The Stella Adler Theatre in Hollywood, May 31 – June 24.

“Ever since I acted in the first Young Playwrights Festival, I have always had a special place in my heart for these extremely talented teenagers, “ says Blank Artistic Producer Noah Wyle. “The issues tackled, and the depth of emotion and understanding these kids have is remarkable. I wish I knew as much as they do when I was their age!”

This year’s winning plays are: COFFEE TALK by Spencer Opal-Levine, Sarasota, FL, Age 9; DAMMIT! by David Agronin, Owings Mills, MD, Age 17; BEAR IN MIND by Emma Steinkellner, Santa Barbara, CA, Age 17; THE ART OF LOSING by Nicole Acton, Interlochen, MI, Age 18; ARC by Elana Zeltser, Sherman Oaks, CA, Age 16; THE INDEX by Zachary Weaver, Overland Park, KS, Age 19; OTHER PEOPLE’S ORGANS by Paige Roth, San Antonio, TX, Age 18; SCRAPBOOK by Brendan Blaber, Indian Head Park, IL, Age 17; THE GRANT PROPOSAL by Nick Mecikalski, Madison, AL, Age 18; ONE PLUS ONE IS FOUR by Rachel Kaly, Forest Hills, NY, Age 16; PRINCESS by Kate Herzlin, Rockville Centre, NY, Age 19; and THE CARDIOLUTHIER by Dylan Zwickel, Manhattan Beach, CA, Age 19.

This year’s winners join a prestigious club of alumni which includes 2012 Pulitzer Prize finalist Stephen Karam, who was a three-time festival winner, and Adam Cochran (a two-time winner in YPF), who was nominated for a Drama Desk Award in NYC for Outstanding Music in a Play in 2011.

A panel of theatre professionals chose from over 200 plays submitted by teenagers across the nation. Winning playwrights are next assigned a mentor, and then a professional director who will help them hone their scripts for four public performances with professional actors. This year’s mentors include David Rambo (NYC22, V, CSI), John Cariani (Almost Maine), Dave Holstein (Weeds), and Ellen Byron (Just Shoot Me, Wings). Over the past 19 years, The Blank has produced 220 plays by teenaged playwrights.

Eleven of those plays or playwrights have gone on to be presented on The Blank’s mainstage, including Speech & Debate by Stephen Karam. Additionally, many of the plays have been nominated for LA theatre awards, including an Ovation Award for Best Writing—World Premiere, and an LA Weekly Award for Best One-Act Playwriting. Other alumni playwrights are populating the nation’s theatres and sound stages with their work. Many YPF winners have gone on to successful writing careers creating TV shows, filling regional stages, teaching writing to others, and founding regional Young Playwrights Festivals.

In support of the 20th Anniversary YPF, The Blank received its first ever grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. This year’s festival is also made possible by Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, The Plum Foundation, Los Angeles County Arts Commission, and City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.

The Blank Theatre’s 20th Annual Young Playwrights Festival runs May 31 – June 24 at the Stella Adler Theatre, 6773 Hollywood Boulevard, in Hollywood. The performance schedule is Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 2pm. Each week’s program includes three plays, and admission is $20 for adults and $14 for students. Festival passes, which are good for one ticket each week of the festival, are $65. Tickets may be purchased in advance online at www.TheBlank.com, or via phone by calling (323) 661-9827.

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04-30-12

Announcing: Mike Farrell, Catherine Hicks, & Megan Ward Added for “Windows on the World” Reading

MIKE FARRELL, CATHERINE HICKS AND MEGAN WARD
WILL JOIN THE PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED
NOAH WYLE, VIRGINIA MADSEN, MARK VALLEY,
JUSTINA MACHADO, GALE HAROLD, PERRY OJEDA
AND NICHOLAS BRENDON

FOR READING OF WINDOWS ON THE WORLD
BY COLETTE KEEN
TO BENEFIT THE BLANK THEATRE’S
NEW PLAY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM,
‘THE LIVING ROOM SERIES’

ONE NIGHT ONLY
SEPTEMBER 12, 2011 AT THE STELLA ADLER THEATRE

Mike Farrell, Catherine Hicks, and Megan Ward have signed on for the reading of Windows On The World by Colette Keen, directed by Kirsten Sanderson, on Monday, September 12 at 8pm, at the Stella Adler Theatre in Hollywood. They join the previously announced Noah Wyle, Virginia Madsen, Mark Valley, Justina Machado, Gale Harold, Perry Ojeda, and Nicholas Brendon.

Mike Farrell is perhaps best known for playing Captain B.J. Hunnicutt on television’s M*A*S*H. During his eight years on the show, he also wrote and directed several episodes, earning him nominations for Director’s Guild and Emmy Awards. In the fall of 2010, Farrell appeared at The Blank as James in Terre Haute. Catherine Hicks became known for her three-year stint on Ryan’s Hope. She has made many films, and for eleven years and 240 episodes, she played Annie Camden on 7th Heaven. In early 2010, she appeared in The Blank’s production of Christopher Durang’s Why Torture is Wrong, and the People Who Love Them. Megan Ward has countless television appearances to her credit, including General Hospital, CSI, Without A Trace, ER, and Boomtown, among others. Ward appeared in this year’s Young Playwright’s Festival at The Blank.

Said Daniel Henning, The Blank’s Founding Artistic Director, “The events of 9/11 had a profound impact on all of us. Many people chose to express their grief through art. We were moved by the depth of this play, and could think of no better way to pay tribute to the memory of those we lost, as well as honor those who survived.”

Added the author, “This verbatim play focuses on the previously unheard perspectives of individuals who were in New York on 9/11. Windows On The World was inspired by two of my friends: Alicia Titus, a flight attendant, who died on the second plane that flew into the towers, and Judy Kaplan, who brought perspective, humor and wisdom to the day’s events with her tales of walking home from downtown to Queens and how her life has changed since. Poets, lawyers, administrators, artists, and fire fighters have shared their experiences and describe how their lives have changed as a result of this day of de-enlightenment. Also, for the first time, you will get to hear the first call to 911 dispatch made by FDNY firefighter (Ret.) John Jermyn, who shares his story of surviving the collapse of the towers.”

Seating is limited, and tickets are now on sale. Admission is $50 for general seating, and $75 for reserved seating and a post-performance reception with the cast. Visit www.TheBlank.com, or call (323) 661-9827. The Stella Adler Theatre is located at 6773 Hollywood Boulevard (at Highland), in Hollywood.

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09-01-11

Announcing: Blank Theatre Reading of “Windows on the World” (Sept. 12) Benefits New Play Series

NOAH WYLE, VIRGINIA MADSEN, NICHOLAS BRENDON,
MARK VALLEY, GALE HAROLD, PERRY OJEDA,
AND JUSTINA MACHADO
SET FOR READING OF WINDOWS ON THE WORLD
BY COLETTE KEEN
EVENT WILL BENEFIT THE BLANK THEATRE’S
NEW PLAY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM,
‘THE LIVING ROOM SERIES’
ONE NIGHT ONLY
SEPTEMBER 12, 2011 AT THE STELLA ADLER THEATRE

Kicking off the 20th season of its new play development program, the Living Room Series, Hollywood’s Blank Theatre will present an all-star reading of Windows On The World by Colette Keen on Monday, September 12 at 8pm at the Stella Adler Theatre in Hollywood. “The events of 9/11 had a profound impact on all of us. Many people chose to express their grief through art. We were moved by the depth of this play, and could think of no better way to pay tribute to the memory of those we lost, as well as honor those who survived,” said Daniel Henning, The Blank’s Founding Artistic Director.

Added the author, “This verbatim play focuses on the previously unheard perspectives of individuals who were in New York on 9/11. Windows On The World was inspired by two of my friends: Alicia Titus, a flight attendant, who died on the second plane that flew into the towers, and Judy Kaplan, who brought perspective, humor and wisdom to the day’s events with her tales of walking home from downtown to Queens and how her life has changed since. Poets, lawyers, administrators, artists, and fire fighters have shared their experiences and describe how their lives have changed as a result of this day of de-enlightenment. Also, for the first time, you will get to hear the first call to 911 dispatch made by FDNY firefighter (Ret.) John Jermyn, who shares his story of surviving the collapse of the towers.

Joining Noah Wyle on stage at the Stella Adler Theatre will be Academy Award nominee Virginia Madsen (Sideways), Mark Valley (Human Target, Boston Legal), Nicholas Brendon (Private Practice, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Santaland Diaries at The Blank), Justina Machado (Six Feet Under, In the Heights), Perry Ojeda (Broadway and West End star), and Gale Harold (Queer as Folk, The Secret Circle), with more to be announced soon. This staged reading of Windows On The World will be directed by Kirsten Sanderson.

The Living Room Series (LRS) is The Blank’s New Play Development Program. Since its inception in 1991, the LRS has been giving writers an opportunity to grow, and stretch their talents in a safe and nurturing environment. Presented nearly every Monday night from Labor Day to Memorial Day, the LRS presents new plays free to the public. These are “workshop” presentations with a short rehearsal process. Upcoming play readings in the series include Memory Grove by Dean Farell Bruggeman (September 19), Flesh and Blood by Andrew Barrett (September 26), Bad Dog by Jennifer Hoppe-House (October 3), and Jersey Shore House by Michael Farrell (October 17).

Started in 1990 by Founding Artistic Director Daniel Henning, The Blank Theatre is Hollywood’s regional theatre, consistently offering some of the most high quality and entertaining productions in the area. Over its 20 year history, The Blank has won hundreds of awards, including every major award in Los Angeles for Outstanding Production, such as the LA Drama Critics Circle, Ovation, LA Weekly, NAACP, and Back Stage Garland. The Blank continues to be at the forefront of providing high quality productions with a risk taking sensibility and entertaining experiences for theatregoers. With programs such as The Living Room Series and its annual nationwide Young Playwrights Festival, The Blank Theatre is committed to developing excellence in artistic talent and providing the opportunity for artists to take bold risks. For more information, please visit www.TheBlank.com.

Tickets are on sale now. Admission is $50 for general seating, and $75 for reserved seating and a post-performance reception with the cast. Visit www.TheBlank.com, or call (323) 661-9827. The Stella Adler Theatre is located at 6773 Hollywood Boulevard (at Highland), in Hollywood.

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08-25-11

(pictured: Noah Wyle and Virginia Madsen)