The Florida Teen Playwright Festival was created and opened to enthusiastic audiences on July 13, 1992.  The Festival initially consisted of staged readings of the three winning scripts. The festival has since expanded to include full-scale productions with costume, lighting, sound, and set designs.   The Festival is the result of a year-long initiative that introduces the art of playwriting to students throughout the state encourages self- expression, self-discovery, awareness and appreciation of playwriting as a diverse art form.    This program provides teachers with the tools to inspire students to write plays. Students discover the dynamic art of play development; cultivate their unique, creative abilities; and develop their artistic voices through a life-long learning and appreciation of theatre arts.  Festival winners work with professional artists and see their work come to life on stage.

Playwrighting Curriculum guides are circulated to English and Drama Departments in all 67 Florida Counties and are available to both students and teachers on the World Wide Web and by direct mail. Students submit their plays to a panel of professional judges who review each submission and provide all students with a written feedback about their work.  The winning playwrights work with the theatre’s dramaturg and professional artists to help them refine and prepare their play for production.  Playwrights work closely with the director and actors and see their work developed in the rehearsal process.  The entire process culminates with the winning playwrights seeing their play in production on the Hippodrome’s stage.  After three days of performances, playwrights discuss their play with the actors, directors, and designers.  The performances are all free and open to the public.   
 
The Festival has also expanded to include a mentoring program to provide guidance throughout the dramaturgical and rehearsal process. Past mentors have included Lauren Caldwell, Hippodrome Artistic Director; Sara Morsey, Adjunct Professor, Santa Fe Community College; and Mary Hausch, Hippodrome Producing Director; and Tamerin Dygert, Hippodrome Dramaturg.
 
Additionally, this years program will be working in partnership with the University of Florida involving undergraduate and graduate level students as actors, designers, and directors.  With the expansion of programming, the Florida Teen Playwright Festival impacts over 10,000 Florida students and teachers annually.  We hope that this program inspires the next Tennessee Williams or Eugene O’Neill!

The third annual One City One Story project is back by popular demand.  One City One Story
is the literary project that asks, “What if an entire community read the same book at the same time?” This year we’re venturing into new territory with one of the most famous science fiction classics of all time, The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells. 

This Sci-Fi masterpiece is one of the most important in the history of science fiction because it established a benchmark for a whole subset of the genre, that of an alien invasion of the Earth. Less than 50 years after it was written, Orson Welles adapted this fantastical story about interplanetary conflict into a radio drama and set it in the real American town of Grover’s Mill.  His broadcast created a wave of mass hysteria when the people tuned in their radios on Halloween night to hear of an alien invasion of the world.

Events surrounding the community reading of The War of the Worlds will include local actors reading excerpts from the Orson Welles 1938 radio broadcast; a read-a-thon that will include volunteers from the community to participate in roundtable readings of the novel and the Hippodrome’s much anticipated stage adaptation by Lauren Caldwell.

Check the One City One Story link on the Hippodrome’s website for updates on future events and plan to purchase your copy of The War of the Worlds at you favorite local bookstore. Events will kick off February 27 and run throughout the month of March. Contact Project Director Tammy Dygert for details: 373-5968.

Subscription & Rental information... Mid-Season Subscriptions It’s the beginning of a new year and a new chance for you or a friend to get in on the savings by becoming a Hippodrome Season Subscriber. There are four fantastic shows remaining and they are not to be missed! From a hilarious baseball comedy to a witty musical about love and relationships, there is sure to be something for everyone. Call Gordon at 373-5968 for details on our affordable subscription options. Rentals Whether for Weddings, Bar Mitzvahs and Bat Mitzvahs, Conference Meetings or Film Screenings, the Hippodrome State Theatre will make a charming, unique and memorable environment for your business or personal event. Our Mainstage, Cinema, Gallery and Rehearsal Studio provide a variety of spaces to meet your groups size and needs. Technical staff and Bartenders are also available if needed. For more details and rental availability, please contact Ruth at 373-5968.