Senior Wins Prestigious Young Playwrights Award

SENIOR LEXI McCULLA WAS NAMED ONE OF THE PALM BEACH DRAMAWORKS’ YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL WINNERS.

The contest aims to introduce the joy of writing for live theatre to young people and to give them a creative outlet in expressing their thoughts and ideas.

This year, Palm Beach Dramaworks received the largest number of submissions in the contest’s history from students enrolled in Palm Beach County high schools. McCulla was one of just 20 finalists and 1 of 10 winners.

Each finalist was given professional feedback for improving and revising their play. The 10 winning plays were chosen by a panel of professional playwrights and theatre practitioners using a “carefully constructed rubric,” according to Palm Beach Dramaworks.

Winning plays were assigned a professional director and actors, and were performed in a staged reading live onstage at Palm Beach Dramaworks in March.

“This is Benjamin’s first winner in this competition and it is, indeed, a huge honor,” Upper School Theatre Teacher Jason Peck said. “Please join me in congratulating Lexi, our two other finalists, Garrison Gelman and Briley Crisafi, and all fifteen of our playwrights who submitted to this festival.”