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Magic Theatre
News about California’s educational system appears routinely
in the media. Many think arts education is in serious jeopardy
and many local schools have had to slash their theater programs,
if not eliminate them. Local theaters are trying to help,
none more so than Magic Theatre with its Young California
Writers Project (YCWP). Students read short plays from the
latest YCWP sessions in mid-December on the Magic stage.
 "I
have never written so much before." "It’s hard
work, but it’s worth it, because you have a chance to
express yourself." Magic gathers such comments from YCWP
students wrestling with words to create compelling short plays.
For more than a decade, Magic staff and teaching artists have
helped young writers pursue dramatic visions, build self-esteem,
and expand their literary skills.
Students take the lead in deciding what to read and how to
prepare for an adventure in playwriting. They warm up with
writing exercises, discuss theater, and attend a main stage
Magic production before developing their own work.
 The
program finishes with a full day at Magic Theatre getting
ready to present work in a staged reading format before a
live audience. YCWP students work with playwrights, actors,
and directors to revise, rehearse, and perform their plays
and see their ideas come to life on stage.
"For many students, these performances are the highlight
of their entire high school experience … the first time
adults have taken seriously what they … had to say,"
wrote Madelyn Pyeatt, of the Oakland Technical High School
English Department in a letter to Magic.
"The process of putting the kids in the lead continues
and expands," wrote David Ford, a local playwright and
YCWP teaching artist. "They impress us every time with
their commitment, responsibility, focus, and capability. Over
the years of developing the program, something very magic
has been discovered. We ask a lot of the kids and we get it."
Hear young California voices at Magic Theatre. See December
12 and www.magictheatre.org/pages.ycwp/shtml
for details.
– Claudia Willen
Images: Balboa High School students, Teaching Artist Michael
Gene Sullivan, Director Carrie Paff
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