Livingston HS Student Takes State Prize

A Livingston High School student has won the Playwrights Theatre 30th Annual New Jersey Young Playwrights Contest. Junior Philip Peker was recognized for a play entitled Blues-Berries.

From the 328 plays submitted by young writers throughout the state, a panel of theatre professionals has selected four High School plays, three Junior High School plays and three Elementary Schools plays.

“We read a wide variety of plays this year,” says Jim DeVivo, the Director of Education for Playwrights Theatre. “I am impressed with the diverse themes and questions explored in the plays chosen for the Festival and am excited to see them evolve onstage.”

Peker has received several writing awards in a handful of genres: personal memoir, persuasive writing, poetry, journalism, and dramatic script. Peker is a guitarist, and plays in a band called Castles.

The NJ Young Playwrights Contest and Festival is one of the most enduring programs of its kind in the country,” said Playwrights Theatre Artistic Director John Pietrowski. “These writers are joining the ranks of some very successful playwrights, including a few who are making a living in the field at present. We applaud these young writers’ artistry and efforts.”

The winning plays will be presented at the University Center's Little Theatre at Kean University on Monday, May 20 at 7 pm for the Elementary and Junior High Division winners and on Tuesday, May 21 at 7 pm for the High School Division winners’ plays.