The Drake’s first Young Voices Monologue Festival

The new Drake keeps its opening events rolling with some of Philly’s youngest theatrical voices. The 2016 Young Voices Monologue Festival from Philadelphia Young Playwrights (PYP) is coming up with public performances March 10-19.

Each year, high school PYP participants from across the city submit their original monologues to a panel of theater professionals, who choose the winners. This year, 18 students, from freshman to seniors, had the chance to work with professional artists for a month to develop their monologues for the stage. The pieces are directed by David O’Connor, Jay Gilman, Christina May, and Steve Gravelle, and feature a cast of seven local actors.

According to PYP, this year’s student writers tackle topics like mental health, addiction, violence, racism, consumerism, and more. The winners come from a broad range of schools including Lower Merion High School, South Philadelphia High, Science Leadership Academy, Friends Select School, and more. Local teachers interested in bringing their classes to one of eight free student matinees should contact Janine Merolla by e-mail ([email protected]) or by calling 215-665-9226, ext. 7004. (The material is appropriate for middle- and high-school students.)

There will be five public performances of the monologues at the Drake (1512 Spruce Street, Philadelphia) between Thursday, March 10 and Saturday, March 19 in the Louis Bluver Theatre. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased in advance online or by calling 215-568-8079.