Participant Details
- Community Arts Partner Name
- ACT Young Playwrights Program
- Partner Type
- 1
- Profile Photo
- Individual Bio or
Organizational Statement - Now entering its 18th year, ACT Theatre’s Young Playwrights Program consistently delivers outstanding arts education and enrichment opportunities to middle and high school students across King County. YPP pairs professional playwrights and theatre professionals with classroom teachers to engage middle and high school students in a 10-week intensive program that includes drama and improv exercises, creative writing prompts, and supportive feedback sessions. By the end of YPP, each student completes the first draft of an original, one-act play. YPP aligns with Washington State Learning Standards for the Arts, English Language Arts Learning Standards, and 21st Century Skills development. Additionally, YPP provides support to students as they develop a creative cohort in the classroom that values creative risk-taking, self-expression, and a sense of belonging. Often school partners showcase finished YPP plays during in-school assemblies or evening presentations, performed and/or directed by peers. Other plays are selected for the Young Playwrights Festival at ACT Theatre each spring.
Contact Information
- First Name
- Riley
- Last Name
- Gene
- Address
- 700 Union Street
- Address 2
- City
- Seattle
- State
- WA
- Zip
- 98101-4037
- riley.gene@acttheatre.org
- Phone
- (206) 292-7660 ext:1014
- Website, Blog or Social Media Link
- Link Text
- Other
Grade Levels Preferred
- Grade Levels Preferred
- 6th - 8th, 9th - 12th
Artistic Disciplines
- Discipline
- 2, 4
- Type
- Playwriting
Experience
- Previous School Partnerships
- Recent school partners include Ballard High School, Explorer West High School, Franklin High School, Garfield High School, Highline High School, Lakeside School, Nova Project, Redmond High School, Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences, Shorewood High School, TOPS K-8.
- WA State TAT Lab Graduate
- No
- Other Trainings or Certifications
- Sample Lesson Description: Student / Classroom Residencies
- Sample Workshop Description: Teacher Professional Development
Areas of Experience and Expertise
- Approved Professional Development Provider
- 1
- Approved Classroom Residency Provider
- Yes
Lesson Plan
- Integrated Art
- Cultural Art
Teaching Approach
- Teaching Philosophy + Approach
- We are passionate about creating opportunities for artistic self-expression and believe that young voices need to be validated and heard. YPP celebrates the value of mentorship with experienced theatre makers and produced playwrights that also have experience in the classroom. We believe in the power of storytelling and theater to validate and honor the stories, personal histories, and values of young people today.
- Curriculum Integration Possibilities
- Drama Theatre Arts English Literature Creative Writing
- Special Skills and Areas of Expertise
- Testimonials from Schools
- “ACT has shown me how to take an idea and make a world.” Ellie Drayton, Seattle Girls' School
Fees
- Fees
- YPP fees are based on a sliding scale. For more information, please inquire directly.
Images
- Image
- Image Description
- Image
- Image Description
- Image
- Image Description
- Image
- Image Description
- Image
- Image Description
Video
- Video Link
- Video Description
- Check this out! foundry10 interviewed John Langs and Tracy Hyland at ACT Theatre about YPP!
- Video Link
- Link Text
- Video Description
- Video Link
- Video Description