YAWP
Ross School is pleased to present professional stage performances featuring four original plays by Ross students. The eighth grade class at Ross School has been hard at work writing and directing their own plays. As participants in Stony Brook Southampton's new Young American Writers Project (YAWP), they have discovered their own unique voices while learning the intricacies of producing a play. Four Ross students will present their one act plays in the Avram Theater at Stony Brook Southampton on Friday, April 24 at 11 a.m. for a student matinee, and again on Saturday, April 25 at 7 p.m. for parents, friends and the general public. There is no admission, but reservations are required.

Over seven weeks, the teaching artists in this innovative and interdisciplinary program instructed Ross eighth graders on the art of writing a short play, introducing them to the elements of dramatic writing through various exercises that helped them develop ideas, characters, themes and dialog. They also learned aspects of producing a play, including set design, directing and wardrobe. They each wrote one act plays for two actors and received in-class peer-to-peer critiques.

A panel of experts at YAWP selected four Ross students whose work, all currently untitled, will be performed: Lesley Fridie, who is casting Nadia Barcenas and Jack Brinkley-Cook; Jon Lesser who is casting Madeline Kiss and Ben Stein; Roosevelt Odidi, who is casting himself and Pablo Kozatch; and Mamoun Grosvenor-Friedrich, who is casting Jake Merrell and Barrett McInerney.

YAWP looks to enhance critical thinking, collaboration and communication skills and help students find and develop their authentic voices and points of view by offering professional guidance. "They were asked to 'write what you know.' The plays are age appropriate," said Ross Cultural History teacher Mark Tompkins, who combined his class with teacher Clare Wolfe's English class to host this workshop.

"Playwriting is a really good opportunity for students to hone their voices, literally and metaphorically," said Ms. Wolfe.

In total, nine plays will be presented from the following middle schools: Bridgehampton, Eastport South Manor, Pierson, Ross School and Shelter Island. While most schools have between eight and 10 students involved, Ross has 50.

Sponsored by Stony Brook Southampton's M.F.A. in Writing and Literature Program, YAWP sends professional writers and writing teachers into high schools and middle schools across Long Island with a variety of innovative, interdisciplinary writing programs which conclude with special projects and presentations.

To make a reservation, go to www.stonybrook.edu/sb/southampton/mfa//yawp_tix or email William.chandler@stonybrook.edu.