Young Playwrights Project

This program combines the best of in-person experiences and asynchronous digital resources, integrating theater and English Language Arts Learning.

The Young Playwrights Project is based on Florida Studio Theater’s “Write-a-Play” program, then developed by Syracuse University Department of Drama faculty member Katherine McGerr and Chautauqua Institution Director of Arts Education Suzanne Fassett-Wright. 

This program is presented in three phases. Phase 1 teaches students how to write their play, featuring a team of teaching artists led by Alexandra Nader, whose experience includes the famed “Story Pirates” program based in New York City. During Phase 2, students hear their plays read aloud in their classrooms, led by the teaching artists who are joined with dedicated and talented volunteers from across Chautauqua County.

This program will be funded in part by schools through the Erie 2 BOCES Arts in Education Co-Ser program. Contact Suzanne Fassett-Wright at sfassettwright@chq.org for fee structure details.

Chautauqua Arts Education is proud to share that the following schools will be served with this program during the 2024-25 school year: 

  • Chautauqua Lake Elementary School in Mayville, NY 
  • Clymer Elementary School in Clymer, NY 
  • Hewes BOCES Educational Center 
  • Bush, Fletcher*, Lincoln, Love, and Ring Elementary Schools in the Jamestown Public Schools 

*returning to the Young Playwrights Project this year 

Contact Information

Suzanne Fassett-Wright
Director of Arts Education
716-357-6421
sfassettwright@chq.org

Generous support for this program has been provided by:

Court Family Endowment

Elaine and Erroll Davis

Young Playwrights Project Program Overview

Phase 1 – Writing a Play

Phase 2 – Reading the Plays

Phase 3 – Field Trip: Seeing the Plays

Phase 1 – Writing a Play

  • One 30-minute assembly for all 3rd and 4th grade students where actors act out plays and engage students in improvisation
  • One 60-minute in-class teaching session where teaching artists introduce the art of playwriting through interactive games and full class demonstrations of the playwriting process
  • One 20-minute video, presented in 3-4 minute sections, that guides the teacher and student through the playwriting process, step-by-step
  • Digital Student Packets and Teacher’s Guides, compatible with Google Classroom that can also be printed as PDF’s
  • At the end of this phase, teachers submit student plays to Chautauqua Institution for Phases 2 and 3.

Phase 2 – Reading the Plays

One 90-minute session where community members visit your classroom in-person, to read and act out your students’ plays.

Phase 3 – Field Trip: Seeing the Plays

Will take place in mid-June, 2025.

Students are invited to visit Chautauqua Institution for an entire day that includes:

  • Viewing a select number of plays from all those submitted after Phase 1
  • Attending either the Chautauqua Regional Youth Ballet Spring Gala Preview or a STEAM Learning Activity in partnership with SUNY Fredonia’s Biology Department
  • Eating your school-provided lunch outdoors (weather permitting) on the beautiful grounds of Chautauqua Institution

Teaching Artists

Past Teaching Artists

Teaching Artists

Alexandra NaderAlexandra Nader, Lead Teaching Artist

Alexandra is a teaching artist, actress, and producer. She has taught creative writing within public schools throughout the New York City and Los Angles area and has hosted educational programming alongside Popsicle and Random House Children’s Books. 

She is best known for The Story Pirates Present: SPTV on PBS. An educational program that was recently honored by The International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences with an Anthem Award for Outstanding work in Education, Art, and Culture.  

As a performer has worked with Nickelodeon, Mas Méjor, Broadway Video, and Elite Daily. Her sketch duo RosaBaby Comedy has been featured on Funny or Die and in The Huffington Post. 

Andrew BarbatoAndrew Barbato

Andrew Barbato is a Brooklyn based performer, writer, director, and video editor. He is the proud recipient of the 2022 Anthem award for his work as director and editor of Story Pirates SPTV. Andrew’s original musicals for kids have been produced around the world. He is the host of Story Pirates Radio where kids write in and share their joy and creativity with each other every weekend.

Gaby HornigGaby Hornig

Gaby Hornig is a proud graduate of Northwestern University where he received a Bachelor of Music in Voice & Opera Performance and Theatre Studies. He is an actor, singer, and teaching artist based in New York. He has appeared at theaters such as the Shakespeare Theatre Company, Williamstown Theatre Festival, and The Flea, and has taught in public schools in the New York City area with The Story Pirates.

Marissa MillerMarissa Miller

Thrilled to be connecting with the young people of Chautauqua!  

Marissa is a Brooklyn based artist with a passion for theatre education, storytelling and performing. 

Career highlights include; touring the United States and Canada with the company of Wicked the Musical (Ensemble/Glinda), performing with Andrews Sisters tribute vintage trio America’s Sweethearts and being featured on their debut album, working as a music and theatre director with Upside Arts Summer Theatre for children for over a decade, and hosting a Vaudeville inspired variety show with her brother in New York City. Marissa has had wonderful experiences working as a full time nanny, private voice teacher, lounge singer and singing server at Ellen’s Stardust Diner in Times Square. She has traveled the world to explore, perform and teach but her most proud accomplishment is being the oldest sister to her four amazing siblings! 

Marty Miller's headshotMarty Miller

Marty Miller is a Brooklyn based performer and comedian. After years of performing musical comedy around the New York City area, Marty can now be found performing his debut solo show “BETH.” Marty is a member of The Story Pirates and was recently cast on a house team at UCB. Marty also spent 6 years as the movement and dance director of the Upside Arts summer program, a non-profit organization celebrating young artists of the New England area.

Emily OlcottEmily Olcott

Emily was a 2022 Ars Nova Resident Artist in the CAMP comedy residency. She developed her solo show, LIVE LAUGH LOVE LEARN LET GO…. AND LIVE AGAIN, directed by Sarah Blush.

As an actor and singer, Emily has performed around NYC at The Flea, Dramatists Guild, Green Room 42, 54 Below, The Tank, Signature Theater, NYU, Columbia University, and Gallery Players. She especially loves workshopping new work.

Emily is an actor and director with The Story Pirates. She has toured the country directing shows and performing in schools, theaters, and concert halls, including Lincoln Center, Utah Symphony, and the Kennedy Center. She’s also a frequent contributor on The Story Pirates Podcast, ranked #1 in Kids and Families Podcasts on iTunes.

She studied improv at UCB, screenwriting with Timothy Cooper at Blueprint, and graduated summa cum laude from Northwestern University, BA Theater.

Past Teaching Artists

Adam Coy's headshotAdam Coy is a NYC-based Tejano actor and director. Regional: Romeo and Juliet (Westport Country Playhouse). NYC: Southern Promises, Fill,Fill,Fill,Fill,Fill,Fill,Fill (The Flea); Lilia (New Dramatists); Syracuse University: Laura and the Sea, Constellations, Measure for Measure. Recent directing: Zabelle, Crave (Access Theater); Pterodactyls (Syracuse University). Directing Observer/Assistant (Chay Yew, The Public Theater). He is a founding member and artistic associate of Egg & Spoon Theater Collective, a member of the SDC Foundation Observership Class (18-19), a resident actor at The Flea Theater, and an SDC Associate Member. Education: Syracuse University, BFA Acting.

Kelsey Deroian's headshotKelsey Deroian is a recent graduate from the University of California Irvine where she received her Master of Fine Arts degree in Acting. Her favorite credits include playing Dolly in One Man, Two Guvnors (Chautuaqua Theater Company), Ellis Veritas in the short film Titanica (Blood Brothers Cinema), Kristin in the short pilot Recipe for Disaster (Dodge Film Productions) and Paulinka in A Bright Room Called Day (UC Irvine). She has also enjoyed work behind the scenes such as: teaching undergraduates at UC Irvine, working as a casting intern at Conan O’Brien and an intern at a Talent Agency. She recently had the pleasure of performing in Young Playwrights Project this past summer and is excited to get to work on the development of the project this go around.

Jacob Dresch's headshotJacob Dresch (CTC 2013) is thrilled to return to Chautauqua to help inspire imagination, creativity, and love in our young ones. Since having been a member of CTC in 2013 playing Dromio of Syracuse in Andrew Borba’s production of the Comedy of Errors, Jacob has been acting professionally around the country and teaching around the world. Acting highlights include: School for Scandal (Off-Broadway, Red Bull Theater), The Foreigner, Lend Me a Tenor, Antony and Cleopatra, Macbeth, (Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival) The Great Gatsby, Shakespeare in Love, Love’s Labour’s Lost, Twelfth Night (Orlando Shakespeare Theater) and many more! As a teacher he has taught a wide variety of courses with the New York Film Academy. Most recently, Jacob had the opportunity to be an instructor at both NYFA’s Mumbai and Harvard campuses. www.jacobdresch.com

Mahayla Laurence's headshotMahayla Laurence (they/she) is a multi-disciplinary artist engaging in work that creates space for conversation around mental and spiritual health, joy, humor, stewardship, and community. They are a staff writer and performer for the Story Pirates Podcast, which has received the iHeartRadio Award (’20, ’22), the Webby Award (’21, ’22), and the Signal Award (’22) for Best Kids and Family Podcast. Mahayla also co-founded and currently facilitates the Comedy Artist Makers’ Program (CAMP) at Ars Nova. Their work has been seen at: Radio City Music Hall, Clubbed Thumb, Feinstein’s/54 Below, Union Hall, Pioneer Works, & others. Mahayla was recently certified as a breathwork practitioner and is currently pursuing an herbalism apprenticeship. NYU Tisch Alum & recipient of the Beth Turner Award for Scholarship in the African Diaspora. 

Carmen Martinez's headshotCarmen Martinez is a designer and maker based in New York City. She lives with her wiener dog Clementina, loves fresh flowers, and knit sweaters.

Carmen was born and raised in Lima, Peru. She moved to the US in 2005 to pursue a BFA in Graphic Design at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). She then moved to New York City and has worked at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

She also has an MFA in Design for Theater from the Yale School of Drama.

After a few years working as a freelance set and costume designer, she co-founded the women owned and run studio all of  the things  NYC, where she has worked with clients in theater, art world, and the general public. Her favorite project there has always been the Holiday Market at Union Square.

Katie McGerr's headshotKatherine McGerr is a director and teaching artist who is honored to be in her fifth year with the Chautauqua Young Playwrights Project. She has worked with Chautauqua Theater Company since 2006 in various positions, including director, literary manager and artistic associate. Katherine is an assistant professor in the Syracuse University Department of Drama; she previously taught at Allegheny College and served as a director and teaching artist with Yale School of Drama’s Dwight/Edgewood Project. Recent directing credits include: The Baltimore Waltz, Laura and the Sea, Julius Caesar (Syracuse University); The Second Shepherds’ Play (Colgate College/Syracuse University); Building the Wall (Chautauqua Theater Company New Play Workshop Series); Measure for Measure (PlayMakers Rep); A Dream Play (Allegheny College). Katherine is a graduate of Columbia University and the Eugene O’Neill National Theater Institute; she holds an MFA in Directing from Yale School of Drama.

Adrianna Mitchell's headshotAdrianna Mitchell, Actor. Writer. Wanderer. American Conservatory Theater MFA Candidate. Spelman Alumna. Chautauqua Theater Company Member. British American Drama Academy Alumna

 

Blake Segal's headshotBlake Segal (Music) is a NYC-based performer and educator. National Tour: Mary Poppins. Regional: The Corn Is Green (Williamstown Theatre Festival); Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville, Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (The Old Globe); Noises Off (Syracuse Stage); Nerds (Philadelphia Theatre Company, Barrymore Award Nomination); Romeo and Juliet, POP!, Rough Crossing (Yale Repertory Theatre); Carousel (Paper Mill Playhouse); Amadeus, Macbeth, The Winter’s Tale (Chautauqua Theater Company); Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (PlayMakers Repertory Company); Into the West (Tantrum Theater); Good People (The Public Theatre, ME). NYC: Bones in the Basket (Araca Project); Les Enfants de Paris (NYMF); Frogs (Fault Line Theatre). Concert: Swan Lake (Original Cast, Hollywood Chamber Orchestra). TV: Blue Bloods. Education: University of Virginia (B.A.) and Yale School of Drama (M.F.A.).