Broadway and Hollywood are where the dreams of aspiring actors and artists come true. With goals of fame, many flood to these creative coasts in order to begin their career in the arts. For a select group of Aragon students, the Young Playwrights Project brought the captivating world of theatre to Aragon. Over the course of two months, Jake Arky, the resident playwright worked with Aragon’s advanced drama class and taught them valuable skills to write a ten minute play. Arky worked continuously with the eight selected playwrights, providing additional feedback and advice throughout the process. When the projects were finished, the students’ plays were performed by professional actors, further demonstrating the writers’ commitment and dedication to the arts.
Theo Krakower: Killers
A story of the moral ambiguity, two hitmen debate the ethics of murder while on the way to kill someone. As the dark comedy evolves, the characters present the question of whether or not the means, if someone will die anyways, and the motivation behind the murder matter.
What drew you to Aragon’s theater program?
Aragon is a gateway to getting your ideas out there. All these different programs like Young Playwrights [are helpful to] have your voice be heard, [as] I’ve always really liked script writing. The idea of having my script performed in front of an audience was really enchanting, and I really wanted to put it out there.
What were you inspired by?
I’ve always really liked writing quick back and forth dialogue between characters, and … it was a bit of an homage to a lot of different 90’s pulp films between the morally ambiguous characters and a very vulgar [and] bloody type of environment created due to the character’s actions. Sort of that almost neo-noir sort of feeling.
How did you feel to have an audience hear your play?
It was odd at first because my mom’s not cool with cursing. My play wasn’t the cleanest thing in the world, but … just hearing [the audience] laugh the first few times really gave me a sense of comfort and just made me feel as though things are going to go in the right direction.
Do you plan on continuing theater next year?
My plan is to go into screenwriting. Later this year, I’m going to be filming a short film with some friends that I’ve been writing — beginning with screenwriting, and then maneuvering into directing, I just want to create something for the screen. That’s really my end goal in all of this, and I just feel this need to create something that people will be able to appreciate.
What do you feel you gained from this experience?
I feel more comfortable with my own writing now. Just being able to put it out there for an audience makes me feel more secure about the direction I’m heading in as far as my writing is going. I [also] feel as though it was a really good experience getting to see different perspectives on my own writing, working with all the people, the other playwrights and actors as well and seeing how they interpreted my writing. I think that was probably the biggest benefit for me … being able to just get those outside influences into my own writing.
Clariss Bolanos: Sid’s World
The heartbreaking and inspirational story of Sid, an introverted individual struggling with a difficult home life. Forced to put up with his abusive father, Sid uses the world of art as a way to escape the difficult reality of his life. Through the imaginary world of his sketchbook, Sid comes to terms with his challenging life, as he eventually learns to overcome his traumatic past.
What drew you to the arts, or Aragon’s program specifically?
I’ve always known the Aragon community to be super kind. I’ve always thought that the [theater] people in my grade … were always super cool, and I wanted to bond with them. So, I thought maybe if I joined the drama community, I could bond with them. And it worked. They’re [some] of the best people I know.
Why were you interested in participating in the Young Playwrights Project?
I was kind of intimidated at first because I’d never written a play. During the process, I was super engaged in it because it’s a super touching story and it’s really sad. But through time, I think with the tips from Jake and Mr. Smuin. And I was able to find a direction to my story and my character arcs and it was just really fun writing [my play].
Tell me about your play, what were your inspirations?
What really drew me [to this story] was … that [Sid, my main character] is trying to find [himself]. My play [really] touches on the theme of toxic masculinity. Through the journal entries, [the audience sees that] Sid is ashamed for not being a “man” because he gets bullied for … not fighting back [when] being abused by his dad.
What is your play’s plotline?
[Sid is on the] introverted side and doesn’t really have that many friends and he lives a really hard life at home. But he’s super creative and he keeps this journal [that] has these two imaginary friends, or psychics, called Toto Boy, and Adelpha. My play is set in the world of his sketchbook … [Over time,] he finds out that whatever he draws in the journal will come to life. Through the journal we reveal that Sid lives a really difficult life and [he] comes to terms [with either] trying to accept that, or running away from it.
What do you feel you gained from this experience?
I never realized how creative I could be. I’m really proud of the story I produced. It kind of made me realize that storytelling maybe could be my thing. So maybe I’ll dive further into that.
Kaelyn Luebke: You Are the Reason
A long term couple struggles to stay together after the boy is forced to come to terms with his past. Previously involved in drugs, he does not want to harm his girlfriend, ultimately forcing him to break up with her, until the truth comes out.
Can you tell me about the Young Playwrights Project?
It was my first year in advanced drama and I wasn’t really expecting anything from it. I am also huge on creative writing and everything, so [the YPP] gave me a chance to show what I could do and [how] I could express myself through my writing. To be a part of the Young Playwrights Project and to have my play chosen was an amazing experience.
What is your play about?
My play was about this couple who had been together for a year or so, and they were seniors in high school. A couple years ago, [the guy] had been involved with drugs. [So], his past kind of caught up to him, and he has to break up with his girlfriend because he has to move away, but he doesn’t want to get her involved. At the beginning, he doesn’t tell her why he wants to break up with her. In the end, she forces an answer out of him.
What do you feel you gained from this experience?
I [gained] more self confidence in my writing. [In] theater, there’s not just one part to it. It’s not just acting or just being up on stage, but there’s the writing side … and the directing side of it. Being able to experience that just makes me see theater [with] new eyes.
Manasvi Ojha: The Late Night
A play about the honest and irritating feelings associated with procrastination. In high school, when students are overloaded with homework and stress, the play delves into the mind of a student pulling an all nighter through the personification of their brain.
What drew you to the arts?
What interests me about theater is that it’s a way to express myself in ways that I’m normally not able to, as I am a very shy person. So the ability to be someone else, to explore a different character, to explore a different way of thinking, that’s something that is very interesting and very valuable to have.
Tell me about your play, what were your inspirations?
I’ve been having a lot of nights where I have been staying up really late. Where my brain was working against me and I [thought] I need to write down just what is going on with me whenever I’m in this situation, because it was something that was very annoying. I thought…if I could put it down on paper, maybe I’ll be able to understand it better, and maybe it would be really, really funny.
What was it like meeting professional actors?
It was amazing. They just did incredible things with the work that were given. When they were rehearsing my play, they came up with ideas that I never would have thought about. And I was so surprised by how well it worked. I didn’t think it would work. They’re just…wonderful people…[and] they were very gracious and excited.
How did you feel to have an audience hear your play?
I was really worried because I didn’t know if it would resonate. We’d read a lot of plays to one another, and we had people in the class act it out. But to have it in front of an entire audience, it was really thrilling because I thought, maybe they will like it, but at the same time was [thinking] but will they get it?…But they did. And that was really nice.
