SAA Freshman Wins Young Playwrights Competition

St. Agnes freshman Marie Walters is the winner of the seventh annual Playhouse on the Square PlaySlam! Young Playwrights Competition in the high school division. Her script, entitled The Antique of Empathy, was performed and directed by local professional actors on the Playhouse stage during the Young Playwrights Festival held March 22 and 23.

Although just a freshman, Marie is not a newcomer to the theatre.  In addition to her recent delve into writing, she has spent much of her youth on the stage.

“I've been interested in theatre since the start of middle school, but I didn't get into writing until recently,” Marie explained. “I started with poems and really enjoyed it and then saw this competition. I thought it was new and interesting, and it would be fun to go a bit out of my comfort zone.” 

PlaySlam! is a competition celebrating new works by aspiring Mid-South youth writers and theatre artists. All scripts are reviewed by a panel of judges that consists of the PlaySlam! Coordinator, Playhouse on the Square staff and Associate/Resident company members, along with local writers and directors. 

The theme for this year’s competition was Empathy in Action. Marie’s storyline follows a doll from an antique shop to a house, and a hospital, bringing together characters who all development an attachment to the doll.

“For this piece, I didn't have a set inspiration I just let my imagination work. I connected the chosen theme in their lines by letting the characters show empathy to one another even though this antique doll is so special to all of them,” Marie said.

As the PlaySlam! winner Marie was invited to participate in a Writer’s Workshop and performed in two staged readings of other scripts during the festival. But for Marie, the real thrill was seeing her play, fully staged, with props and costumes.

“Seeing my play performed was an amazing experience. They had great lights and sound effects, and I couldn't be happier with the performance!”

Marie’s script now advances to the national Playwrights for Change competition.

“I am incredibly proud of Marie’s accomplishment . . .  especially as a freshman,” said St. Agnes Theatre Director Ann Neal. “She is quite at home in the theatre. Since her elementary summer camp days, we knew that she had the ‘theatre magic’. Acting, writing, and studying theatre feed her soul and give her joy.  We are the lucky ones to have her in our program!”