Gabrielle Poisson accepting her award from NJ Young Playwrights Director of Education, Jim DeVivo
On June 2, 2015 the New Jersey Young Playwrights Festival featured four winning high school plays, two of which were composed by Newark Academy sophomores. “Worn Thin” by Gabrielle Poisson was written during the 2014 Page to Stage June Term and revised in Creative Writing class. “Thanksgiving Surprise” by Betsy Zaubler was written and revised in Creative Writing. Gabi and Betsy worked closely with NJ Playwrights’ directors, dramaturges and actors to bring their plays to life. Performances were held at the Barn Theatre at Fairleigh Dickinson University. Current Page to Stage June Term students and their teachers, Mr. Jacoby and Mr. Scerra, attended the performance and soaked in the inspiration.
Betsy Zaubler accepting her award from NJ Young Playwrights Director of Education, Jim DeVivo
By virtue of this competition, Gabi and Betsy have also been named members of the Dramatists Guild of America for the next year and were awarded 2015 Governors Awards in Arts Education. May this be the start of two long playwriting careers!
Mr. Scerra & Mr. Jacoby look on proudly as Betsy & Gabi have their photo taken with the actors who performed their plays.
The 2015 June Term “Page to Stage” crew with playwrights Zaubler & Poisson at the NJ Playwrights Festival.