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President Mom by Becca Anderson, is the winner of the 4th Annual Ronald M. Ruble New Play Festival. The festival, which took place on May 3, 2014, in the McBride Auditorium at BGSU Firelands College included the presentation of 3 outstanding new works for children’s and youth theatre: Operation Oddball by Lisa Bruna, Losing Moscow by Kate Jacobs and Andy Burton, and President Mom by Becca Anderson. These finalists, chosen from a nationwide search for the most promising unproduced theatrical works relevant to youth today, were chosen by committee from the 52 submitted plays and musicals this year. During this free festival, the finalists were evaluated by a panel of industry professionals, our teen festival participants, and through an audience ballot. The three votes were combined and President Mom was chosen as Festival Winner. Playwright Becca Anderson will receive a $500 prize courtesy of this year’s festival sponsor, Goodwill Industries of Erie, Huron, Ottawa and Sandusky Counties. President Mom will also be offered a three-week workshop in the CCYT 2014-2015 season.
President Mom introduces us to Claire McCallister, is a typical teenage girl. She is stressed out about her bio exam and even more about finding a date to her high school’s spring dance. This would be tough for anyone to handle, but Claire’s mother just happens to be The President of the United States. When Claire’s Mom offers her the chance of a lifetime, to meet her rockstar idol, Claire jumps at the chance. The catch: Claire has to take Brent Baumgartner, the nerdiest boy in school, to the dance. Still, she agrees to go along with her Mom’s scheme, until a European Prince arrives and turns Claire’s world upside-‐down.
With over 300 attendees at this year’s one-day Festival, these three, never-before-seen works were given staged readings by members of the Caryl Crane Youth Theatre Teen Board. The 2014 CCYT Teen Board consists of 22 junior high and high school students who meet weekly and function as the community outreach arm of Caryl Crane Youth Theatre. They host events, lead community service projects and create unique opportunities to bring the teen communities of Erie and Huron county closer together through theatre.
For more information about the Ronald M. Ruble New Play Festival, Caryl Crane Youth Theatre or the CCYT Teen Board, please call 419-372-0732, email mbrian@bgsu.edu, follow Caryl Crane Youth Theatre on Facebook, or visit our website, www.firelands.bgsu.edu/arts/ccyt.
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