Palm Springs Young Playwrights Festival Set Next Month At Cultural Center

PALM SPRINGS, CA — The ninth annual Palm Springs Young Playwrights Festival will showcase this year's winning student plays with live staged readings next month at the city's Cultural Center.

The event will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. June 7 at 2300 E. Baristo Road.

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The festival pairs playwright winners with professional directors from theatre, film and television, and this year's lineup include Keith Hoffman, Chuck Yates, Deborah Harmon and Anne Etue.

"We are beyond thrilled to have these extraordinary artists guiding our students this year," said David Youse, executive director of the festival. "These directors are donating not only their talent, but their hearts, to help elevate these young voices and give them a truly professional experience."

The following plays and the directors who will be paired to the projects are:

— "The Author Behind the Happily Ever After," written by Allana Beckman of Valley View High School and directed by Keith Hoffman.

— "The Rats of Broadway," written by Jason Bulanek of Canyon Springs High School and directed by Chuck Yates.

— "Look at Me, I Exist," written by Ryleigh Sanchez of Valley View High School and directed by Deborah Harmon.

— "Mermaid Story," written by Carleigh Rios of Martin Luther King High School and directed by Anne Etue.

In preparation for the festival's staged readings, the playwrights have worked with Greg Cope White, co-executive producer and writer of Netflix's "Boots," over the past few months.

Festival organizers said casting was underway and results will be announced before the festival.

The festival encourages and promotes creative writing for elementary, middle and high school students throughout the county, and selected playwrights receive mentorship and scholarship to further their education in arts, officials said.

Tickets can be purchased at psypf.org.