Young Playwrights' Work Takes Center Stage At The Old Globe

>> The great questions of life have always been the subject of great plays, but they are not often tackled by playwrights in their teens. For 33 years, the San Diego-based playwrights Project has sponsored the California young playwrights contest for ages 18 and under. This year, six winners have been named for more than 400 entries and one of the winning playwrights joins us now. Sophia Miller is 14 years old, and a freshman at Westview high school in San Diego. The name of her plate is "A Life or Death Situation". Welcome to the program. >> Thank you. >> Also joining me is rough Yeager, artistic Director of the plays by young writers Festival, Ruff, welcome to. >> Thank you very much. >> You don't mess around when it comes to subject matter. Life or death? Pretty heavy for a beginning play right. >> I really like to tackle the big themes, they are very interesting to explore and see the universal applications of those things. >> What was it you wanted to explore in this play? >> Is started with life or death, the meaning of life or the meaning of death and why it happens and why people have to die. But it ended up being more of the ability to see past differences of just humanity in general. Life and death, the character in my play, two very different people. For a wife that cannot see past their differences. That is something I think was very important. >> Ruff, obviously teenage writers are starting out what is a hallmark, are the bigger risktakers than older amateurs? >> They are. The young writers have not learned the bad habit of self editing. They are in touch with their imaginations, their creativity, the sky is the limit. We read so many wonderful, imaginative, creative play. >> How does the competition were? What are you looking for in these pieces? >> We are looking for interesting characters, an ear for dialogue, compelling plots and wonderful themes that resonate with our audience. Students from 18 and younger in the state of California can submit place. This last year we had 432 plays submitted. Rachel Van warmer was the contest coordinator. She read all of them and if the young students want a response, there is a letter written to the students. Then we cold claims -- the place about 10 can we sit down and call the playwrights and talk to them, interview them 430 minutes each all over the state of California, and then we decide which four, full productions we want to give in which two staged readings. Sofia was one of the stage readings. >> We know Sofia's play was about life or death. What were some of the other plays chosen? What were they about? >> A lot of the same things. Life, death, love, me against myself, me against the gods. They tackled the big themes. Universal themes classical playwrights of the Greek, Shakespeare, all tackled. Very similar. >> Sofia, which you enjoy about writing a play that is different than the short story? >> I love that you get to see the characters physically interact with each other in such a raw way, a natural form. The dialogue shows so much in so little words and I love how concise it can be yet shows so many possibilities of the characters. >> We just heard your play is being given a staged reading. Have you seen it yet? >> I have not. >> Are you nervous about that? >> Yes, I am very nervous. >> Why? >> I think a lot of other writers can relate to seeing something they have put so much work into, so much effort into, putting it out there finally and seeing how others react to it. It's a very nerve-racking thing because you have put yourself into it, in a way your own personality is in your writing. It is almost like, oh my gosh, are people going to like me? Because the writing is so personal. >> Opening night, even as a teenager. >> No reason to be nervous. Or play is wonderful. She was very responsive and participated in the creative process. She came to rehearsal with her mentor, many of her visions, the actors honor her work in the audience honors her work. >> As you say, some of the plays are being given a full performance. How professional are these productions? >> Very professional. The old Globe theater is kind enough, generous enough to allow us to be there in the arena theater on their campus. Each play receives a professional Director, professional designers, sets, light, costume, properties, sound and a writing mentor. Some very well-respected designers, working on these productions. >> What is the real purpose of having a young playwrights contest? Do you want to nurture kids that grow up to become playwrights? Or is there something else? >> Of course we want to nurture young playwrights. On opening night, for the full production, our generous sponsors were astounded by the talent that was on display on the stage and our young matinee audiences, for example this week, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, every day we have a sold-out matinee for school-age students. Many of them leave the theater saying, I want to write a play. I have an idea. I have been thinking about this love story or story of revenge or story of world peace and I want to share that just like these young writers are sharing their stories with the audience. It is very inspiring. >> This is going on for 33 years now. Have you seen any of the former winners go on to become professional playwrights? >> Yes. Josefina Lopez one of the early winners, her early play was staged by playwrights Project. She went on to write a very famous popular play, real women have curves and the film was made with America Ferrera in the lead. Annie Wiseman a play right and a television rider. Many playwrights have gone on to have careers. Not all of them want a career in playwriting. It allows students like Sofia to gain confidence in their own voice. What do I have to say to the world and that gives them confidence throughout their career, their college education, the rest of their high school education and they become very productive citizens. Theory will expressed, very confident. I would love to read a little section of her play if you would like? Just to show the language, the beautiful imagery she uses. Saying, an allegory for death, speaking about the universe and the afterlife and he says, the sun rises again and again, but after each day it has to set. After the sun sets there is charcoal expense and the endless void, but it is still sprinkled with stars, with color. I know the only thing I do is give you shades of black and white. But her soul will survive if you just let me help. >> That is really nice. Sofia, will you be writing more plays? >> Yes, I will be writing more play. >> Anytime soon? >> I actually got an idea for one last week and now I am really excited to start it. And I hope it is going to be, finish the first draft by the end of the month. That's releasing but I'm excited to start it. >> The winners will have their plays staged and read Friday and Saturday at the old Globe. I've been speaking with Sofia Miller and Ruff Yeager, artistic Director. Thank you both. >> Thank you. >> Thank you.