Dobama has never been your ‘ordinary’ theatre. One week it does this, and another week it does that, and then it does something else entirely. Dobama is a risk-taking theatre, presenting a raft of World, Ohio or even Cleveland premieres. Quite possibly the very best thing Dobama has ever done is the Marilyn Bianchi Kids’ Playwriting Festival! This year is the 26th time they’ve sponsored the contest, and produced some of the winners for the community to see. Unfortunately, not all the winning plays can be produced, due to logistics, funding, and various other constraints, such as size of cast, sets, etc., but what is presented is eye-opening, to say the least. The Festival is open to young playwrights between the ages of 6 and 18 who live in Cuyahoga County. This year, the winning productions were divided into two batches, a group of seven from the younger contestants, (grades 1 through 6) and in the Night Kitchen, two plays by high school seniors. Due to my own time constraints, I could not stay for the later performances, so saw only the works of the younger students. They were funny, imaginative, poignant and touching, and wonderfully creative. What a tremendous boost is provided to the morale of these young playwrights—to be able to have a professionally staged performance to add to their resume.
Monkey Man by 4th grader Michael Knopf of Royalview Elementary was up to the minute with its use of DNA to explain why a boy became superhero Monkey Man. Directed by Bernadette Clemens. A Doll Can Change a Girl’s Life from 3rd grader Melanie Adelstein of Lewis Elementary, was directed by Joyce Casey. A favorite doll from girlhood is discovered in an attic by the now grown-up Amanda, and brings back memories of those not necessarily happier times. Evan Joyce, 4th grader at Brookview Elementary authored The Famous Unknown Art Thief in which students assist a police inspector solve a crime at a local museum, directed by Molly Cornwell.
After intermission, Sonya Robbins directed the turnabout Let’s Go to the Zoo by Angie Holecko of the 4th grade at Big Creek Elementary School. In a slightly different tradition, the animals go to see humans on display. The poignant Don’t Forget to Say I Love You by Lydia Borowski, a St. Joseph & Johns School 6th grader, could teach us all an important lesson, neatly capsulized in the title. A young boy whose Mom has just died, goes to visit with his grandfather, and while there, meets a young girl who’s lost both parents. There were sniffles in the audience seated around me during this one, also directed by Sonya Robbins. Sending us all out with a smile was the final production by 1st grader Nataya Lyons of Glendale School directed by Lisa Siciliano.
It isn’t possible to list the entire technical crew, but special accolades go to Set Designer Michael Roesch; Costume Designer Barbara J. Quill; Sound Designer Richard B. Ingraham; Lighting Designer Andrew Kaletta and Props Designer David Schneider.
Robin Pease, Founder and Artistic Director of Kulture Kids was a vibrant Mistress of Ceremonies, otherwise known as singer, dancer, story-teller, filling the moments between each production, and then introducing the next one to come along. Kudos all around to the entire Dobama family: the performers, the young playwrights, the local theater community members who read the submitted plays, and not least, the ANGELS who provided funding for this endeavor which was presented free to the community in five performances. Young playwrights and others can obtain more information about this venture from the theater at 932-3396 or at http://www.dobama.org from Cool Cleveland contributor Kelly Ferjutz kellytwo@core.com (:divend:)