Palm Springs, CA – May 21, 2024: The Palm Springs Young Playwrights Festival (PSYPF) has announced the selection of cast members for the three plays to be presented at the upcoming festival. The event will take place at the Palm Springs Cultural Center on June 9, 2024, at 12 PM. This annual festival will feature original plays by three local students performed as staged readings with professional actors and directors. Attendance is free, but reservations are required. More information can be found at psypf.org.
“We are elated to feature so many outstanding actors this year,” said David Youse, Executive Director of the Festival. “Our students are absolutely thrilled that they will see these high-quality, seasoned actors perform their plays in the festival.”
The winning playwrights have been mentored by Broadway actor, TV executive producer/writer, and playwright Jack Kenny. He has provided professional guidance and coaching throughout the process of finalizing their plays. The three staged readings will include:
**IN MY DREAMS**, written by Erik Evans (14) from Palm Middle School in Moreno Valley, CA. Directed by Chuma Gault, it follows Fly and his best friend on a journey to find his missing parents in Spiderville.
– Cast includes William Salyars (known for “Regular Show”), Carlos Garcia (“Putnam County Spelling Bee”), Loretta Fox (“New Girl”, “Curb Your Enthusiasm”), Desiree Clarke Miller (Executive Artistic Director of San Diego’s Moxie Theatre), and Jason Stuart (winner of The Indie Series Award for Best Actor on “Smothered”).
**SECOND CHANCES (A GAME SHOW)** written by Abigail Alldredge (16) from Ramona High School in Riverside, CA. Directed by Keith Hoffman, Executive Producer at Warner Brothers/Discovery. In this game show play, four contestants compete to return to life after selling their souls to the devil.
– Cast includes Yo Younger (eight-time Desert Theatre League Award winner), Phylicia Mason (“Putnam County Spelling Bee”), Daniel DiMaggio (“American Housewife”), Chuck Yates (seven-time Desert Theatre League Award winner), Michael Shaw (Artistic Director of Dezart Performs), Cullen McCarthy (“Miles From Tomorrow” on Disney Network), Noah Bentley (“Batwheels”, “Elliott From Earth”), Charles Herrera (six-time Desert Star Award winner), and Christine Tringali Nunes (“Lifespan of a Fact”).
**REDO**, written by Anthony Banuelos (17) from Valley View High School in Moreno Valley, CA. Directed by Deborah Harmon, it explores God’s plan through John’s experiences across different historical periods.
– Cast includes Zachary Furtado (“Main Character” at Script2Stage2Screen), Lou DiMaggio (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”), Sean Timothy Brown (“The Legend of Georgia McBride”), Melanie Blue (five-time Desert Theatre League Award winner), and Chet Cole (Visual and Performing Arts teacher).
PSYPF recently partnered with The Riverside County Office of Education to expand its outreach beyond Coachella Valley to all of Riverside County. Collaborators include Louisa Higgins from Riverside County Office of Education, Chuck Yates from Coyote StageWorks, the Palm Springs Cultural Center, and PSYPF board members Marni Raab, Margarida De Brito, and Desiree Clark-Miller.
The festival is funded by premier sponsors such as The Western Wind Foundation with Jeremy Hobbs and Cherry Lane Alternative with Angelina Fiordellisi. Ongoing supporters include Tom Valach, Jason Smith, Dorothy and Mel Lefkowitz, Paul Reid, and Thomas Hartnett.
PSYPF is a nonprofit organization promoting creative writing in theatrical form among elementary through high school students within Riverside County. It offers scholarships for arts education mentorships and public readings for selected young playwrights’ works.
For more information or support opportunities visit www.psypf.org.
