White Plains Performing Arts Center Hosts Westlake High School Student Writers

Seven Westlake High School creative writing students will have their work performed on stage during the “Page to Stage: High School Edition” event at 8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 25, at the White Plains Performing Arts Center at City Center.

“Page to Stage: High School Edition” is patterned after WPPAC’s “Page to Stage” series where playwrights can see their works-in-progress and invite audience feedback. Eleven actors will bring the students’ literary works to life on stage, which include short stories, plays and poetry.

The student writers are: Jenna Arkontaky, Michelle Barbero, Brian Bennett, Nicole Grossman, Jessica Kaplan, Julia O’Connell and Kiera Torpie. Westlake High School is located in Mount Pleasant.

Creative writing teacher Janet Matthews said the works were selected based on their potential for dramatic presentation — and the student writers do not know which of their works will be performed. The writers say they are both “nervous and “exhilarated” to see their deepest, most evocative work on stage, according to organizers. “Page to Stage” actors commented that they were amazed at the caliber of writing done by these (at the time) high school tenth and eleventh graders.

The event is directed by Philip Cutrone, who is the artistic director for WPPAC’s “The Nak’d Stage” and has acted in many of their productions including “Death of a Salesman,” Mister Rogers,” “A Christmas Carol” and the regional premiere of “The Little Mermaid.”

Tickets are $5 and include a reception following the show. General admission tickets may be ordered in advance by calling 328-1600. Tickets are also available at the door or online at wppac.com.

There will be a reception following the performance with the writers and the actors.