MiniPlay Contest & Camp
"Straight From the Headlines II"
Grades 3 – 12

Contest: Submission deadline, December 2, 2011

Camp
Instructor: Gail Bray
Days: 7 Saturdays, 1 Sunday
Date: Jan. 14 - Feb. 25, 2012
Time: 10am-4pm
Location: BPP at 107 W. 9th
Performance: Feb. 26, 2012
Tuition: $160
Register Online

for more info: education@newplays.org

To register, call 812-330-6041

MiniPlay Camp

The Ivy Tech/BPP Youth Education Program presents the 2012 Mini Play Camp, a Saturday day camp where students grades 3 - 12 rehearse and perform winning plays in of the 2011 Mini Play Contest.

Typically, over 250 local students, armed with only the newspaper and a wild imagination, submit short plays to the MiniPlay Contest following the theme, “Straight from the Headlines II.” Every submitted play was inspired by a real newspaper article - anything from the classifieds to the front page was fair game!  The winning plays illustrated how well a student crafts an original story, characters, and setting based upon their newspaper article.  The topics of the winning pieces ranged from stolen art to bacon flavored soda (and everything in between).

In January 2012, MiniPlay Camp will commence (under the direction of Gail Bray) and it's up to the campers to bring these brand new plays to life in just six weeks.

Come prepared with lots of energy, and get ready to tackle the theatre experience head on, from auditions to performances. Campers diligently learn their lines and rehearsed their pieces, stopping for nothing except a theatre game here and there. Snow will melt in their path.

For more information: education@newplays.org

The MiniPlay Contest & Camp is sponsored by Ivy Tech Community College & Newman's Own Foundation and is made possible through support from the Bloomington Arts Commission and the City of Bloomington.

MiniPlay Contest

The highly successful and long-running MiniPlay Contest invites students in grades 3 – 12 to submit original 7 - 10 minute plays in three categories (Elementary, Middle School & High School). Winning playwrights receive recognition in the local media and a full production of their winning play.  Over the course of the eight-week 2011 MiniPlay Camp, local youth produce, direct and act in the winning plays, culminating in public performances in late February.

This year, MiniPlay will revisit last year's theme for "Straight From the Headlines II". Area elementary, middle school and high school students are invited to write a play that was inspired by a real newspaper article - anything from the classifieds to the front page is fair game!

The BPP will select the three best plays in each category, based on how well the playwright crafts an original story, characters, and setting based upon their newspaper article.

First place playwrights in each category receive a cash prize of $50.  Most winning plays will receive a full production of their play during the 2012 MiniPlay Camp.


2010 MiniPlay Contest Winners

Winners for the 27th annual MiniPlay competition have been revealed.  The BPP received hundreds of submissions to the contest, out of which only nine were selected, each demonstrating great emerging talent.

Elementary, middle school and high school students wrote on the theme of “Straight from the Headlines”.  Every submitted play was inspired by a real newspaper article - anything from the classifieds to the front page was fair game!  The nine winning plays illustrate how well a student crafts an original story, characters, and setting based upon their newspaper article.

“Straight from the Headlines was exciting because there was so much opportunity for our playwrights to fill in the blanks found in newspaper articles,” explains MiniPlay Coordinator Liska Radachi. “Often, we may read a newspaper article and wonder who committed the crime or what the outcome will be in a developing story. Straight from the Headlines allowed students to develop their own stories based on real-world events.”

First place playwrights received a cash prize of $50.  Winning plays in the Elementary and Middle School competitions will receive a full production of their play during the 2011 MiniPlay Festival.

Performances of the MiniPlay Festival take place February 27, 2011 at 2pm & February 28 at 7:00 pm.  Tickets are $8 at the door the night of the event.  For more information visit www.newplays.org or call 812.334.1188.

Congratulations to all the winners!

ELEMENTARY

1st Place ($50 Prize) – The VanVinci Conspiracy by Louis Triggs, University Elementary, Miss Coake
2nd Place – Miss Manners and the Flatulent Boss by Sydney Way & Sophie Keller, Lakeview Elementary, Mrs. Mungle
3rd Place – Mission:  John Lennon by Emma Rodes, University Elementary, Mrs. Darby

MIDDLE SCHOOL

1st Place ($50 Prize) – Sizzling Soda by Katie Pfeiffer, Batchelor Middle School, Mrs. Polley
2nd Place – The Pumpkin Problem by Amanda Coleman, Batchelor Middle School, Mrs. Polley
3rd Place – Super Villains Have Feelings Too by Alyssa Willis, Batchelor Middle School, Mrs. Polley

HIGH SCHOOL

1st Place ($50 Prize) – Airport Security Shenanigans by Elizabeth Anderson, Bloomington South, Ms. Rademacher
2nd Place – You Really Thrill Me, Really by Hazel James, Home School
3rd Place – Goats for Goats by Devin May, Bloomington South, Ms. Rademacher