Central Florida K-12 students were given the writing prompt, “From My Perspective: Let Me Tell You About…” The best submissions have been transformed into a new theatre work in collaboration between Theatre UCF graduate students and the Orlando REP to promote drama in the classroom, writing and critical thinking, and community engagement advocating for young voices to be heard.

What is Writes of Spring?
Orlando Repertory Theatre and the graduate students of the University of Central Florida’s Theatre for Young Audiences M.F.A. program work in partnership to present Writes of Spring, an annual writing and creativity contest dedicated to celebrating the works of youth in Central Florida. The project strives to support literacy, critical thinking, and creative expression by transforming student words into a fully produced show.

About Writes of Spring 2017
In its 15th year, the Writes of Spring competition presented a writing prompt for the students to address in their entries: “From My Perspective, Let Me Tell You About…”. Students submitted over 450 moving essays, poems, and short stories that challenged or celebrated each student’s personal belief regarding freedom of speech. This year’s play Mystic Glen has sought to explore the inter-generational themes and personal stories that bring richness to any art and has been a special boon to Writes of Spring.