On June 7, talented young artists competed at the inaugural Philly Youth Theatre Festival at the Prince Theater.
The City of Philadelphia’s Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy (OACCE), the School District of Philadelphia, St. Joseph’s Preparatory School, and Philadelphia Young Playwrights partnered to host this regional theatre competition for high school-aged youth to bring students together around their shared passion for theatre.
“With the launch of the inaugural Philly Youth Theatre Festival, we wanted to develop a competition for young performers to meet and interact with peers from other theatre programs, and to provide an evening of entertainment for the audience,” said Chief Cultural Officer Kelly Lee.
Some of the region’s best youth drama and theater programs competed for cash prizes by performing scenes and monologues ranging from drama, musical selections, tragedy, to comedy. The groups were each given a limited number of tables, chairs and allowed minimal props to encourage creativity.
Awards were given out for ensemble scenes and monologues, as well as other categories such as most creative use of staging, hand prop, and recovery during a performance. All monologues were originals written by students.
“Having been a student at St. Joe’s Prep, I regret not being part of the theatre program and in their productions. I had the pleasure of finally performing in a St. Joe’s Prep Cape and Sword Society production this year and it was inspiring to see firsthand the students coming together to put on the show. The Philly Youth Theatre Festival will celebrate our region’s youth theatre programs and the importance of arts education.” – Mayor Jim Kenney
Participating schools and programs included Academy at Palumbo High School, Arden Theatre Company Drama School, Childhoodslost, Shadow Company of Yes! And… Collaborative Arts, Philadelphia Theatre Company Teen Council, St. Joseph’s Preparatory School Cape & Sword Drama Society, Curio Theatre Company’s Curiositeens and The Kimmel Center ShowStoppers Musical Theatre Program.
The winners of the inaugural Philly Youth Theatre Festival were:
Most creative use of staging ($500): St. Joseph’s Prep performing a scene from 12 Angry Men
Most creative use of a hand prop ($500): Shadow Company of Yes! And…Collaborative Arts performing a scene from The Exonerated
Most creative recovery from a mistake ($500): Childhoodslost performing a scene from Legacy
Monologue, 3rd ($600): Flight Friends written by Olivia Tyrell, performed by Meghan Moore
Monologue, 2nd ($800): The Song of Her Story written by Emma Gantard, performed by Madalina Richardson
Monologue, 1st ($1,000): Breakthrough written by Aurora DiFranco, performed by Nina Vitek
Ensemble, 3rd ($1,000): Academy at Palumbo performing a scene from Little Shop of Horrors
Ensemble, 2nd ($2,000): Shadow Company of Yes! And…Collaborative Arts performing a scene from The Exonerated
Ensemble, 1st ($3,000): Childhoodslost performing a scene from Legacy
Every student (actor and playwright) that was a part of this Festival received a certificate of recognition for their contribution to the inaugural Philly Youth Theatre Festival.
The panel of judges included Mayor Jim Kenney, Dr. William R. Hite, Jr., Superintendent of the School District of Philadelphia, actress Grace Gonglewski, and Erin Reilly, Co-founder and Artistic Director of Theatre Horizon.
The Festival is one of several arts education initiatives of OACCE. The focus on youth theater is because of the positive impact that participation in the theater arts has on educational outcomes.
Part of OACCE’s mission is to ensure that Philadelphians have equitable access to arts and culture. As part of that mission, OACCE created an Arts Access Calendar for families, groups, and individuals looking for affordable cultural arts experiences such as exhibitions, performances and other events, as well as free activities from other cultural groups and institutions throughout Philadelphia.
Do you know a child that needs summer plans? Philadelphia Parks & Recreation offers specialty camps at sites across the city, focused on visual and performing arts, like a Young Performers Theater Camp.