The Express Tour is a traveling production of vibrant new plays.

Student plays are brought to life by professional actors in an energetic, fully staged performance.  The tour inspires creativity and introduces diverse audiences to the voice of a new generation.

Our company travels to a wide variety of community venues including schools, theaters and hospitals.

Book the tour for your site! Or catch the Express Tour at one of our public showcase performances!

Objective:
The Express Tour shares the work of our young playwrights throughout the community in order to inspire new artists and audiences.

This year the Express Tour Showcase will last for four nights, giving the public an unparalleled opportunity to see the plays that will be gracing stages at schools, hospitals, offices and theaters throughout the city. All of the plays are from students in Young Playwrights’ Theater’s programs. 

Tickets are $15 and available through the website of GALA Hispanic Theatre or by calling 202.234.7174

May 6 - 9, 2009
7:30 PM
GALA Hispanic Theatre
3333 14th Street NW
Washington, DC 20010

Join us for a pre-reception opening night at 6:30!

For more information about the Express Tour click here.

Perhaps you joined the multitudes on the National Mall for the Easter concert marking the anniversary of Marian Anderson’s historic performance on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. 

Here at YPT we are following the news too, and working with students throughout the Washington area to deepen their understanding of current and historical events by dramatizing them in new ways, and giving voice to youth perspectives.

On May 6-9, 2009 Young Playwrights’ Theater presented the Express Tour Showcase.

There are separate photo albums for each play.  Click on the image to view details for any photo. You can also view all of our photo albums by clicking here. 

Express Tour Showcase 2009 

Ally in Blunderland by Sophie ReVeal

My Dream, Marian's Dream by the students of Ferebee-Hope Elementary School

Mom and Mr. Nachos by Luis Hernandez

Choosing Change by the students of Oak Hill Academy

 Express Tour Recap

Mom and Mr. Nachos

By Luis Hernandez

The following plays will be performed in the Spring 2009 Tour. Each was written by students in YPT’s In-School Playwriting Program.  Elementary schools will see the first three plays, while Middle Schools and High Schools will watch some combination of the following four plays.

My Dream, Marian’s Dream By the students of Ferebee-Hope Elementary School Directed by Jennifer Nelson My Dream, Marian’s Dream dramatizes the events surrounding Marian Anderson’s historic performance on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Students from Ferebee Hope Elementary school in SE Washington, DC wrote about Marian Anderson’s courageous performance and expressed how her story inspires their own dreams of success, peace and understanding.
Ally in Blunderland By Sophie ReVeal Directed by Mary Hall Surface Ally’s a hardworking student who excels in school, sports, everything! But when she runs too fast and falls down a rabbit hole during a soccer game, her adventures in Blunderland teach her that maybe she should slow down, stop to smell the roses every once in a while and learn to enjoy the everyday wonders…of home.
Mom and Mr. Nachos By Luis Hernandez Directed by Abel Lopez Mr. Nachos is a little different from everyone else in school. First, he’s actually made of nachos. Second, he’s chased by some really mean bullies who always try to eat him. And third, his Mom is a secret black belt in karate….what? See in this fun and whacky adventure how a son and his mom can triumph over any adversity---even the meanest bullies on the block.
Choosing Change  By the students of Oak Hill Academy Directed by David Andrew Snider In collaboration with the students of Oak Hill Academy and Mentoring Today, this piece explores life before, during and after contact with the DC Juvenile Justice system. Through poetry, prose and interactive storytelling, this play shares the heart of those who travel through the system – and how the system is regaining its heart.

In 2009 the Express Tour will visit over 40 different schools, theaters, community centers, hospitals and retirement homes in less than five weeks!

Week One, April 11-18:  The National Theatre The Support Center DCPS Plummer Elementary School Youth Services Center Capitol City Public Charter School Children’s National Medical Center Allen Chapel AME Cooper Lane Elementary School Tuckahoe Elementary School
Week Two, April 19 - 25: Hillcrest Elementary School Pediatric HIV/AIDS Center Abingdon Elementary School Strathmore Elementary School Friends Club - Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church Glebe Elementary School
Week Three, April 26 - May 2: National Museum of African American History and Culture Johns Hopkins Children’s Center Hoffman-Boston Elementary School Josephine Butler Parks Center Sitar Arts Center Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School Roots Public Charter School
Week Four,  May 3 - May 9: Express Tour Showcase at GALA Hispanic Theatre Boys and Girls Club, Silver Spring Kelly Miller Middle School Ferebee-Hope Elementary School Harriet Tubman Elementary School Oak Hill Juvenile Detention Center New Beginnings at Oak Hill DCAYA
Week Five, May 10 - 16: Choice Academy Tyler Elementary School Barcroft Elementary School Bell Multicultural High School Lincoln Middle School Columbia Heights/Shaw Family Support Collaborative SOME (So Others Might Eat) Annapolis Road Academy Alternative High School Fillmore Arts Center Maya Angelou Public Charter School Downtown Clusters Geriatric Day Care M.C. Terrell Elementary School

 - Jillian Trawick, Frederick County Evenstart: A Family Literacy Program.

 - Jamie Gentille, Inova Fairfax Hospital For Children. 

Looking for information about the Express Tour from 2007 or 2008?  Click here.

Looking for Tours from 2006 and before? Click here.