A Secret Invasion, a Great Fish, and more in St. Bernard last night at Play/Write Showcase

Eight plays written by fifth-grade students from St. Bernard Parish Public Schools were performed by local theatre companies last night at the Play/Write Showcase presented by the Meraux Foundation and Goat in the Road Productions (GRP). 

"We were once again blown away by the talent of our young people, and we are so glad to have helped bring this amazing program to St. Bernard Parish," said Rita Gue, the president of the Meraux Foundation.

The Play/Write Program consists of yearlong playwriting classes. Over the course of the year, 175 St. Bernard Parish School students wrote eight original scripts and chose one to expand into a full length play. Eight of these plays were chosen for the Showcase. All students attended the Showcase event during a morning field trip, where they received a formatted and professionally bound copy of their script.  The evening Showcase performance welcomed dozens of students’ families and the public.

The Play/Write performance groups are: Goat in The Road, Prescription Joy, and Coffee House Players. These companies’ adult performers brought the students’ words from the page to the stage, celebrating the creativity of all students involved in the Play/Write program this year.  

The plays performed were Dynamic Duo by Eliyanna Belcher from Smith Elementary, The Big Twister by Manuel LaNoue from Chalmette Elementary, The Fight with Height by Raelynn Prestenbach from Joseph J. Davies Elementary, The Secret Invasion by Isaiah Braggs from Lacoste Elementary, The Convincer by Riley Noto from Gauthier Elementary, The Deceiving Storm by Callan Knott from Lacoste Elementary, The Great Fish by Tiliah Veals from Smith Elementary, and The Quest of Nuggies by Kannon Kivell from Arlene Meraux Elementary.