WSU student's play to be read at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Region VIII (Feb 11)

WSU Playwright a Winner
Who: Weber State University Department of Performing Arts
What: “Reality Fallacy” by Chris Shenefelt, at
Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival
When: February 11
Where: KCACTF Region VIII in Los Angeles

“Reality Fallacy,” by WSU theater major Chris Shenefelt of Ogden, was selected by readers in Region 2 as one of three regional finalists to be given a concert reading by WSU students at the KCACTF Region VIII Festival at the Los Angeles Theatre Center on Friday, February 11th. Before the festival begins, one-act play respondents will read and select two national semi-finalists from the three regional finalists to be forwarded to the national office for consideration for invitation to the national festival in April. The readings at festival should be considered a showcase of the scripts.

Chris’ play can be considered a “quarter-finalist” for the John Cauble Award for Outstanding Short Play. Two plays will be named “semi-finalists for the award at the conclusion of the Los Angeles Festival. The play will be considered, along with the one-act plays invited to the seven other Regional Festivals and those named semi-finalists by the Regions, for invitation to the National Festival at the Kennedy Center. If this is the case, the play will be one of four plays considered a finalist for the John Cauble Award. Those finalists will not be announced until early March, so Chris’ invitation to Los Angeles with his play should be considered a honor and a great opportunity to showcase his writing and, hopefully, take steps forward as a playwright. Region 8 may recognize one of the plays with some kind of regional award. If this is the case, that will be also be announced on the final day of the Festival in Los Angeles.


The John Cauble Award For Short Play
The Short Play Award is named in honor of Dr. John Cauble, Professor Emeritus of UCLA, who provided guidance and support for the establishment of the Michael Kanin Award Program. His continued participation in the recognition of student playwrights through the former “Playwriting Awards Development Committee” is a cornerstone within the Michael Kanin Awards Program. This program seeks to bring recognition to the area of student-written short plays and to encourage young writers to develop the short play form in preparation for the playwriting profession.

The John Cauble Award for Outstanding Short Play recognizes one or more outstanding scripts each year for presentation at the national festival at the Kennedy Center. The playwright who is the recipient of the John Cauble Award will receive: $1000 provided by the Kennedy Center.; Professional Development Fellowship; The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival will provide the award recipient with an all-expenses paid professional development opportunity; Dramatists Guild Award. The Dramatists Guild Award provides the playwright with Active membership in the Guild. It will also honor the author with the awarding of a certificate presented at its offices in New York City. In the past, the award recipient has been cited at a Guild reception to honor all the playwrights of the previous year.

For more information: Char Nelson, regional chair of the National Playwriting Program, BC4M@aol.com.
Chris Shenefelt: cmshenefelt@gmail.com