Budding playwrights spring from area elementary schools

MCC/Courtesy photo 'Catastrophe in Ice Tropolis,' a 2007 Kidwrites winner, included character sketches starring Fatty Fred the Three-Scoop Ice Cream Cone (Kyle Romero), Dolly the Dilly Bar (Jenna Simmons), the Icelings written by Karen Croft's fourth-grade class at Hillcrest Elementary in Nederland.

It's Stinktown. And only Deodorant Boy and Soap Man can save her from an odious, odiferous future. Will Soap Man 'scrub' Stinktown or will Deodorant Boy 'rub' it out? Find out Saturday, May 3, at Lamar Theatre's 10th annual "Kidwrites," 7 p.m. in the Lamar University Theatre.

Southeast Texas elementary schools are full of budding playwrights. Lamar Theatre students Sheri Moreau and Emily Dodson should know. They were two of several theatre majors who offered playwright workshops in 72 elementary classrooms recently. Students from kindergarten to fifth-grade submitted 115 plays to Lamar Theatre's Kidwrites competition and there were just a few rules-- no violence and use your own ideas. Twelve of the plays will be produced on stage with full sets and costumes by Lamar Theatre students May 3.

Sheri Moreau, Kidwrites director said, "It's a wonderful program for the kids. They get to use their imagination and experience theatre early in life."

'Kidwrites' winners include:

Bridge City Intermediate, "The Flying Burger"by Jacob Curl, Jacob Trahan, Steve Nguyen of Dana Portacci's fourth-grade class.

Caldwood Elementary, Beaumont, "Nerds Changing" by Nancy Aviles, Madison Tyler of Robyn Kocot's fourth-grade class. Honorable Mention, "Alicia Finds A New Home" by Taja Guidry, LaRae Sears of Andrea West's third-grade class.

Fletcher Elementary, Beaumont, "The Oven Escape," by Christopher Almaguer, Christian Goldman, Alberto Mireles, Oscar Parra, Samuel Rodriguez, Irving Tapia of Kristy Schroeder's fourth-grade class. "La Fiesta De Elen," by Vanessa Ramirez of Joyce Bowman's fourth-grade class.

Langham Elementary, Nederland, "An Adventure in Ollie Oven," by Candace Hebert, Kayla Taylor, Leah Dismukes, Madyson Guidry, Taylor Gallier of Patty Sanderson's fourthgrade class. "Sushi on the Run," by Justin Carr, Avery Lablanc, Erick Ramirez, Nathan Rooney, Logan Wood of Sanderson's fourth-grade class.

Mauriceville Elementary, "A Cloudy Day" by Jacie Workman of Angela Bagwell's fourthgrade class.

Orangefield Elementary, "The Broken Clock," by Jake Bradley, Casey Smith and "Dream Book" by Slade Granger, Ty Hawkins, Maleah Saucedo, Adam Winfree. "Radio Fiasco" by Haley Abshire, Cameron Armstrong, Lani Cole, Sabryn Crain, Brody Judice. "Saleena Saves the Day" by Scarlett Neely. Honorable Mention "Leo and Robert Save the Day" by Mack Patterson, Zachery Willey all from Charlotte Donnaud's fourth-grade class.

Sam Houston Elementary, Port Arthur, Honorable Mention "Big Foot" by Kyle Wise, Andre Jamison of Janet Dupuis fourth-grade class.

Woodcrest Elementary, Pt. Neches, "A Lively Adventure" by Maria Dugas of Bailey Baxter's second-grade class.

Honorable mentions will not be produced on stage. Tickets are $2 per person and the event is open to the public.