Byron Carlyle Theatre. From August 10 through 12, 2012.
New Voices; New Vision; New Theatre. This is the overriding goal of The Company Company, a theatre company comprised entirely of students. With a mission of having the voices of high school students heard through writing, directing and acting, The Company Company presents the 4th Annual New Play Project, a series of short plays, from comedies to dramas, all featuring student playwrights, directors and actors from the Miami area.
Dylan Guerra, The Company Company’s artistic director, describes the content of the plays as a mélange of “Awkward dinners, mystic fields, twisted dwarves, broken relationships, statements on war, playwrights in distress, wild characters, stolen hearts, a flying woman, plants, 1950s spoofs and Wild fun.”
Nearly all of the playwrights, directors and actors are either students or graduates of the New World School of the Arts. Founded in 2009, The Company Company presents works that represent the unique perspectives of high school students, to ensure that “New Voices” are heard throughout the community. In their first year, the New Play Project made its debut with a group of short plays presented at the Area Stage. In 2010 they added a performance of improvisational works to aid in the Red Cross’s post-hurricane recovery efforts in Haiti. Proceeds from that year’s New Play Project benefitted both the Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Thespian Department at the New World School of the Arts. In 2011, The New Play Project at the M Ensemble Theatre marked an expansion for the organization, offering opportunities for more playwrights and actors.
This year’s production showcases the works of student playwrights Hannah Benitez, Dylan Guerra, Ana Heretoui, Alexis Scheer and Monica Skoko. Directed by Ryan Avalos, Dylan Guerra, Heather Knobel and Phillip Pilla, the actors are Ryan Avalos, Spencer Bang, Kaelyn Brooke, Dylan Guerra, Cheyenne Hardy, Heather Knobel, Phillip Pilla and Antonina Vargas.
All proceeds from the project will be donated to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, an organization that holds special meaning for Dylan. He first learned about MS when he was in the 8th grade at Miami Country Day School.” My English teacher, who was truly my mentor, shared with me that a member of her family had MS,” says Dylan. “I learned a lot about the struggles and challenges faced by people with MS and enlisted other students to help raise money and awareness about the disease.” With a close family friend being diagnosed with MS, Dylan continued to support the MS Society throughout his high school years at the New World School of the Arts. “I am truly blessed that through the New Play Project, we are able to contribute to raising awareness and funds for this worthy cause.”
Performances are Friday, August 10 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, August 11 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, August 12 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased at the door. For further information, visit www.thenewplayproject.webs.com
New Play Project
Byron Carlyle Theatre
500 71st Street
Miami Beach, FL 33141
www.thenewplayproject.webs.com
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