The 52nd Street Project


The Project's style of teaching drama and creating theater focuses on the individual child. The same children who are too often one of thirty-seven in a public school classroom are outnumbered by adult collaborators at The Project. In the "Playmaking" program series (the first step on the Project ladder), ten children enroll in a nine-week play writing course taught by Associate Artistic Director Michael Bernard and adapted for The Project by Daniel Judah Sklar from his book, "Playmaking: Children Writing and Performing Their Own Plays." At the end of the course, the kids are taken (along with their volunteer adult dramaturg/directors) out of town for a "writer's retreat" in the countryside. After writing their own plays, each child is given a professional cast to complete the expression of his or her personal vision. The finished plays enjoy a three-day run at an Off-Broadway theater in Manhattan. The Project produces two Playmaking programs each year; one ends in December, the other in March. Playmaking performances, like all of the Project's shows are presented for free to the general public. From "CUPID IS DEAD" by Matthew Jellison, age 10: SCENE 4 Time: 4:00 PM Place: A diner in New York
At Rise:	Detective is sitting at a table eating lunch.
	DETECTIVE
	(To audience) This is crazy. That woman should have helped me out at least a little bit. This job is too tiring. I think I'll quit my job and move to Hawaii. At least my girlfriend's meeting me here for lunch.
Girlfriend walks into diner.
	DETECTIVE
	Hi, honey.
	GIRLFRIEND
	You're not going to call me that anymore.
	DETECTIVE
	Why not?
	GIRLFRIEND
	Because there is no such thing as love anymore. Cupid's dead. I packed and I'm moving in with my mother. Bye, Detective.
Girlfriend walks out of the diner.
	DETECTIVE
	(to audience) Looks like I better get back on the case.

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