Play Written by RHS Student Goes Big-Time at O'Neill Festival

The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center in Waterford last weekend gave student playwrights a chance to have their works developed and presented during its seventh-annual Young Playwrights Festival.

The five selections, chosen from among 134 submissions, included "Happy as a Clam" by 16-year-old Rockville High School student Lisa Mueller.

The playwrights developed their works over two days with professional directors, dramaturgs, and actors, all alumni of the O'Neill's National Theater Institute. The festival culminated in a reading of each play at the Dina Merrill Theater.

"It was really cool because, while the directors were taking charge, we still had the final say in what happened," Mueller said. "I got the chance to change lines, stage directions, and meaning in my piece, as well as some time to do other writing workshops. 

"I also got to see the the tech rehearsal, which was so awesome because I learned all of these things that are truly needed to make the play complete. The experience was wonderful and taught me all about theater and what it takes to bring it from 2D to 3D. Watching all of our plays at the end was such a great and rewarding experience."

The Young Playwrights Festival takes place each spring at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center.

Young playwrights get a chance to participate in vibrant discussions of their works, work with professional artists, experience full rehearsals with an artistic team, and get opportunities to re-write and re-work their plays.

"The Young Playwright Festival was such a great experience. I got the chance to see a play on paper come to life," Mueller said.