Scripts by teen playwrights about cultural identity, redefining oneself, the impact of grief and the injustice of war make up the four winning plays announced Saturday in Playwrights Project’s 2022 Plays by Young Writers festival in San Diego.
Cecelia Kouma, executive director of Playwrights Project, said this year entries totaled 228 scripts by 243 writers from 39 schools in 17 school districts statewide.
There are three winning plays in the older division for writers ages 14 to 18. All three will receive a fully staged production. “Gifted” is by Tehilla Fishman, 16, of Los Angeles. It’s the story of Luna, a teen piano prodigy who gives up the instrument after the death of the grandmother who raised her. Then her grandma’s spirit returns to say she won’t rest until she knows Luna starts playing again. Judge Ahmed Kenyatta Dents said of the play: “A beautiful story. The emotional stakes are clear.” Teaching artist Aurrora Arnold will serve as dramaturg.