Plays From Students Selected for Newark Playwrights Festival

NEWARK, N.J. – Six talented drama students from East Side High School have had their original one-act plays selected for presentation at the Newark Playwrights Festival, hosted by New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), on Wednesday evening, February 11^th.

This continues an extraordinary tradition for East Side High School in which student-written plays have been chosen for this prestigious showcase, reflecting the school’s exceptional drama program and the powerful creative voices of its scholars.

“Our East Side High School playwrights continue to set the bar for excellence,” said Superintendent León. “For nearly a decade, their work has been selected for this festival, proving not only their remarkable talent but also the strength of Newark’s arts education. These young writers tackle complex themes with courage and insight, and we are incredibly proud of them.”

“Year after year, East Side’s drama students show us the power of young voices,” said Board of Education President Hasani K. Council. “Their success at the Newark Young Playwrights Festival is a testament to their dedication, their teachers’ support, and the power of the arts in Newark Public Schools. We celebrate their accomplishment and look forward to seeing their work performed on stage.”

The selected plays are:

SKIP DAY
By Daniel Fernandes, Alexander Paris & Marcos De Miranda

A comedic and sharply observant look at teenage rebellion, Skip Day follows three friends who ditch school to see the new Avengers: Doomsday movie, only to stumble upon their teacher engaging in a secret outing of his own. A showdown of mutual leverage ensues, resulting in an uneasy truce and the boys heading off to enjoy their movie and plot their next adventure.

FAMILY INDUCEMENT
By Julio Caal Che, Giovanni Meza & Matthew Tenecela

This gripping one-act follows the Hernandez family as they confront a sudden, ambiguous offer from immigration authorities that could change their lives. Set against the backdrop of many of the issues generating headlines recently, the play explores uncertainty, hope, and the strength of family, culminating in a tense and dramatic cliffhanger that leaves the audience suspended in the dark alongside the characters.

The Newark Playwrights Festival is scheduled to be held on Wednesday, Feb. 11^th at 7:30 p.m. at NJIT’s Jim Wise Theater at Kupfrian Hall at 99 Summit Street in Newark.

For tickets, please visit the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/newark-playwrights-festival-tickets-1981005978208?aff=oddtdtcreator