Christopher Estes, Principal at Lenora P. Miles Intermediate, hosted afterschool rehearsals for two new plays written by elementary students that were presented during the YOUNG VOICES WITH NEW VISIONS SHORT PLAY FEST on the Alliance Black Box Theatre stage in Woodruff Arts Center on Saturday, November 17, 2012.

One of those shows entitled MRS. ROOSEVELT AND I, was written by Lavianna Smith (a 6^thgrader from Fulton County Public Schools System)and directed by Adamsville Primary/Miles’ Elementary school music teacher, Ms. Letricia Henson and featured Janaisha Wright, a Miles fifth grader, Mrs. Heather Nilson, a Miles EIP teacher, and Quandrell Claybrooks. Ms. Henson, a co-producer for YVNV, performed in this touching historical drama, as well.

The other play called BLUE LIGHT, written by 4^th grader Alden Hollis (Hamilton E. Holmes Elementary FCS) and directed by Shannon Bryd, showcased the talent of nine other Miles’ students. Runako Brown (5^th),Ba’Haiyyah Taylor (5^th), Gikiya Griffin, (3^rd), Malique Jones (4^th), Zakiyah Jones (3^rd), Phillip Kenley, Jr. (3^rd) Danielle Leverette (3^rd), David Leverette (3^rd) Braxton McPhearson (3^rd), and Ryan Carter, a Morehouse College drama major headlined this sci-fi inspired script.

During the third YVNV play, in an evening of 6 short plays, J. Hope Jackson’s Harper Archer Middle School chorus students Ricky Evans (6^th), Zachare Gist(6^th), and Joshua Jones(7^th) gave memorable performances in the poignant social drama, MIRACLES written by 6^thgrader, Khadirah Muhammed (FCS) and co-directed by Bridgit Shepard and Melba Blount.

Associate Producers, Eddie Bradley, Chair Spelman College Drama/Dance Department, Sandra Hughes, Artistic Director Gateway Productions, Providence Missionary Baptist Church SWAG Youth Drama Ministry, and Principal Renee Prior, Hamilton E. Holmes Elementary (FCS) also opened their doors to these talented writers-- Woodland Elementary 4th graders Lilliana Banwarie and Kamryn Ligon, and Max Greenhouse (graduate of Riverwood High School, FCS).  Ms. Hughes directed FAMOUS SMOOTHIE written by Lilliana, and Leah Dupard directed UNAVOIDABLE written by Max. ONE HEART written my Kamryn was directed by Alliance Theatre Teaching Artist, Ebony Tucker.

YOUNG VOICES WITH NEW VISIONS SHORT PLAY FEST, produced in association with the Alliance Theatre Education Department head by Chris Moses, was founded by Pamela-Faith Jackson (Gifted/Talent Development Teacher-Miles Intermediate/Adamsville Primary). YVNV provides a haven for gifted young writers and actors to share in the new play development process. The YVNV “Write A Dream” Short Play Competition,adjudicated by college professors and industry professionals, is on a nation-wide search for students (grades 3-12) who are interested in writing for the stage. For more info: e-mail: yvnvplay@gmail.com website: yvnvplays.org