Published: April 25, 2008 12:18 pm         

Third-grader at Bishop Walsh selected as top young playwright

CUMBERLAND - Holden DeMartino, a third-grader at Bishop Walsh School, is among students from across Maryland selected by Centerstage as Young Playwrights Festival winners for his original play, titled "Pink."

"Jimmy's just like all the other fourth-graders, except he's pink," reads a summary of the work. "With his new friends, Nick the magician and Lisa the princess, he helps teach class bully Randy a lesson about tolerance."

Now celebrating its 22nd year, the Young Playwrights Festival is presented by Centerstage's Department of Community Programs and Education with the support of Provident Bank, Washington Gas and Comcast.

An awards ceremony and reception will be held at Centerstage's Pearlstone Theater at 7 p.m. on May 5, hosted by WJZ-TV's Denise Koch.

Off the more than 300 students in grades 1 through 12 who submitted scripts, DeMartino's work is one of seven that will receive staged readings at the ceremony. These seven youngsters also will receive three workshop days with professional theater artists. Other winners will receive a workshop and staged reading at their school or an honorable mention.

Honored as the state theater of Maryland and recently named a Leading National Theater by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Centerstage is an artistically driven institution, producing and developing an eclectic repertory in collaboration with renowned theater artists for a diverse audience interested in challenging, thought-provoking work.

The awards ceremony is open to the public free of charge, but reservations are required by calling the Centerstage box office at (410) 332-0033.