Young Middletown Playwright In the Spotlight

A play written by a Middletown High School South junior Kelsey Garrett has been selected by Playwrights Theatre of Madison as a winner in their 30th Annual New Jersey Young Playwrights Contest.

The play is called Mirror, and was one of 328 plays in different age groups submitted statewide to a panel of judges. She was one of the four winners in the high school division. 

“We read a wide variety of plays this year,” said Jim DeVivo, the director of Education for Playwrights Theatre said in a statement. “I am impressed with the diverse themes and questions explored in the plays chosen for the Festival and am excited to see them evolve onstage.”

Garrett loves the performing arts and has had roles in her school's Southside Theater versions in Rimers of Eldritch, Bye Bye Birdie, and Cabaret. She has also written and performed with South’s Theatre Arts Club’s One-Page Play Festivals and Ten-Minute Play Festivals.

The 30th Annual NJ Young Playwrights Contest Festival will be held on May 20-21. Select plays from this festival will be reprised at Playwrights Theatre’s  Forum Reading Series in December 2013.

The play will be presented at the University Center's Little Theatre at Kean University on Tuesday, May 21 at 7 pm. The readings will feature professional actors and directors. For reservations, call 973-514-1787 X21 or email njypf@ptnj.org. Admission to the readings is free, but reservations are required; seating is limited.

Garrett also received a New Jersey Governor’s Award in Arts Education, the highest honor in arts education in New Jersey.

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An Excerpt from the play 'Mirror' 

Summary: Confronted with her inner demons, one girl struggles to overcome her greatest fear. But with her insecurities being thrown in her face, will she be able to let go? 

Girl 1: How could you?

Girl 2: I wasn’t thinking, okay?

Girl 1: No! It’s not okay. We’ve been working so damn hard. And you just had to screw it up. Didn’t you?

Girl 2: It was Mom’s birthday

Girl 1:  So?

Girl 2: One day can’t be so bad. Plus, Mom would’ve been upset if we didn’t celebrate with her.

Girl 1: One day can’t be so bad? Are you crazy? Do you know how many calories are in one slice of cake? Of pizza? Are you ignorant or just plain stupid?

Girl 2: I didn’t want to upset Mom.

Girl 1: No? But you’ll be upset when you have to go one hole up on your belt. You’ll be upset when you go up a pound on the scale. You never ever think long-term. You can’t stay focused. No wonder you need me.