Playwrights Project presented its Plays by Young Writers Festival and Night of Celebration on January 28th at The Joan B. Kroc Theatre in the Salvation Army’s Kroc Center. Plays featured were: The Notifiers by Donny Cannady (age 17); Gifted by Tehilla Fishman (age 16); American Dissonance by Vincent Schillings (age 18); and The Santa Heist by Ell Banoub (age 12). Scripts were selected out of 228 entries to the 2022 California Young Playwrights Contest and professionally produced by Playwrights Project. Kandace Crystal joined us as Director.
Local theatre critic Eva Trieger shares her thoughts on the work below.
WOW! First and foremost, major congratulations to every playwright, reader and actor. Stage directors, and dramaturgs. EVERYONE, take a bow! … I’ve nothing but admiration and awe for each person involved. Just imagine, your four plays were selected out of 228 submissions! Pat yourselves on the back!
Cecelia Kouma has graciously accepted my request to share my comments with you after reading and watching your authentic and honest works. So, without any further delay, here are my thoughts, comments, reactions and gratitude.
The Santa Heist
by Ell Banoub
The Santa Heist was really clever and topical. Ell, I love how you not only took on our current challenge of treating Omicron, but also the notion of integrity and self-judgment. Danny’s struggle to improve his image and prove that he is a good person, is such an important message. Each of us can turn ourselves around, and move in a positive direction by taking on activities that heal instead of hurt. Your play really illustrates this phenomenon. Well done! I also enjoyed the humor in the script and the characters of an Elf on the Shelf and a talking dog.
The Notifiers
by Donny Cannady
The Notifiers was so well-crafted and acted. The poignant ending was a surprise to me. I was quite impressed with your ability, Donny, to get into the heads of two men who lived through something you’ve never experienced. Your writing and Tre and Norman’s sensitive, on-point portrayal was truly award-worthy. Your dialogue showed a great deal of sensitivity and empathy for the former soldier and the wannabe soldier. Liliana’s Beatrice was so raw, angry and distraught. Her pain was palpable. Spitting on the soldier’s shoe provided a visceral slap. The message that all wars are senseless and not justifiable was juxtaposed with Jamie’s question “should we have sat back and let the Nazis take Europe?” Very impressive.
Gifted
by Tehilla Fishman
Gifted walked that fine line between the desire to be loved for one’s self, and the need to live up to family expectations. Tehilla, I really found it so clever how you wove the deceased grandma into the story, making her a character, but only visible to Luna. I appreciated the way you showed the ebb and flow of family love, commitment and sometimes, estrangement. Luna’s feelings of having disappointed her grandma, and even the grandma’s snide, sometimes hurtful comments rang true. Families aren’t always about empathy and unconditional love, and your play reveals this hard truth.
American Dissonance
by Vincent Schillings
Vincent, thank you for the intriguing, artistically creative American Dissonance. The exploration of the dichotomy of being American-something else, does provide a conundrum for so many of us. What does it mean to be authentically “other” and is assimilation bad? You also illustrated an interesting treatment of confronting racism within this nature of duality. On the one hand, characters embrace ancestral stories and icons, but eschew cultural beliefs of customs. “General Yung wasn’t a warrior. Just a lost old man with a broken back.” Powerful view of someone struggling with her identity. Again Kailey’s Alaska, Gingerlily’s Linda, and Kent’s Logan brought your words to life with sarcasm, wit and wisdom.
Photo by Geri Goodale.
I hope you will all keep refining your craft and giving San Diego, and the world, more of your pearls! Thank you for letting me read/view your gifts!
Eva Trieger
Eva Trieger is a special educator, working with San Diego students since 1996. She is a theatre enthusiast, a freelance writer, and an avid hiker. When not curled up reading to her cat, she is exploring our local theatre scene and marveling at all of the talent we have right here!
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