IRT names winners of 2023 statewide playwriting competition

Indiana Repertory Theatre names winners of statewide playwriting competition
Annual Young Playwrights in Process program celebrates seven finalists, two winners

Indianapolis, Ind.— After a five-month long process and more than 220 entries, the Indiana Repertory Theatre has named Avery Selivan (High School Division) and Greer Hanlon (Middle School Division) the winners of Young Playwrights in Process (YPiP), an annual youth playwriting competition for Indiana students in grades 6-12. The statewide program is led by IRT’s Playwright-in-Residence James Still and Resident Dramaturg Richard J Roberts, along with guest advisor Jennifer Blackmer, a playwright and professor of theatre at Ball State University.

Through YPiP, the IRT encourages middle and high school students across Indiana to write and create plays that reflect and challenge their world. During the program, each submission is reviewed by a committee of theatre and writing professionals who then provide constructive feedback to the entrants. This year, 25 semi-finalists from each division were chosen and invited to a voluntary day-long workshop with James Still and Richard J Roberts to continue to shape and develop their play. All semi-finalists were then invited to resubmit their work, and the two winners were chosen by Still, Roberts, and Blackmer after a final two-day workshop opportunity for the top seven finalists.

The final celebration took place virtually on March 4, 2023, to recognize the work of the young playwrights. During the event, both Selivan’s and Hanlon’s full plays had staged readings by professional actors, and the other 5 finalists had a portion of their plays read. As winners, Selivan and Hanlon will each receive a $1,000 cash prize for their short plays. The remaining five finalists, including high school finalists Mei Kihara, Ryan Chang, and Aidan Garrison, as well as middle school finalists Maggie Webber and Lucille Ansell, will each receive a $250 cash prize. The full list of finalists, as well as their play titles and schools can be found below.

“YPiP allows students from across the state of Indiana to take a deep dive into playwriting and learn from professionals, as well as peers,” said Anna Barnett, IRT’s Education Coordinator. “The online platform makes it accessible to more students.  It is such a joy to read the variety of creative ideas that come from the young writers.  I would encourage anyone with even the slightest interest to try the contest next year.”

YPiP was created by the IRT in 2005 through the Margot L. and Robert S. Eccles Trust.
Applications for next year’s YPiP competition will open in the fall, and play submission is due September 25, 2023. To stay up to date on the latest information, go to irtlive.com/ypip.

For more information about YPIP and other educational opportunities, contact Education Coordinator Anna Barnett at abarnett@irtlive.com or 317.916.4841.

YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS IN PROCESS WINNERS

Avery Selivan
Tapes from a Stranger
Herron High School

Greer Hanlon                                                                                                                               
The Halloween Party
Sycamore School


YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS IN PROCESS FINALISTS

Mei Kihara
Two Peas in a Pod
West Lafayette High School

Ryan Chang
By the Grace of.
West Lafayette High School

Aidan Garrison
Growing Up
Silver Creek High School

Maggie Webber
A Day in the 80s
Center for Inquiry School 84

Lucille Ansell
The Queen’s Curse
School for Community Learning
 
###

ABOUT THE IRT
Founded in 1971, the Indiana Repertory Theatre (IRT) is the largest professional not-for-profit theatre in the state and one of the leading regional theatres in the country. The mission of the Indiana Repertory Theatre is to produce top-quality, professional theatre and related activities, providing experiences that will engage, surprise, challenge, and entertain people throughout their lifetimes, helping us build a vital and vibrant community.
Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA): The IRT strives to celebrate and serve the diverse people and cultures that make up our whole community. The IRT is committed to providing access for all; to creating and maintaining an antiracist theatre that is inclusive, safe, and respectful.
 

---