Students have the Write to Be Heard
by RISA WASIK Assistant Copy Editor

Margo Davis, a Buffalo teacher, was looking for something to inspire her students. She then came across a play written by a young Canadian playwright and presented it to her students. What happened next was the start of something special.

The play, Davis realized, broke through to the students, connecting them with different cultures and backgrounds. Witnessing the effect on the students and as an avid supporter of theater, Davis was inspired to start the Write to Be Heard playwriting competition for students in 8th-12th grades.

The competition encourages students to write a one-act play in any genre for a chance to win scholarship money, prizes and a performance of their play at Shea's Smith Theatre.

All submissions are then read and discussed by a student dramaturgy, a committee of about 20 students chosen by Davis.

Through the generosity of the Laura L. Adams Foundation and Barnes & Noble, student prizes include a $1,000 scholarship and other donated items.

The competition, now in its tenth year, continues to grow. The first year, Davis received only five plays. Now she can usually expect about 60, she said. But Davis would still like to see a lot more involvement from local schools. Although some submissions do come from students who wrote a play as a requirement for a class, Davis still would like to encourage more teachers to get involved and help raise students' level of understanding and appreciation for theater and the written word.

Although the playwriting contest is considered a competition, Davis says it is more a competition with one's self to be creative and produce a great piece. On her Web site Davis offers writing hints to interested participants, such as:

• Be sure that all the characters don't sound the same.

• Keep your main focus/theme idea in sight.

• Make it happen in the now, rather than people talking about what happened last year, week or century.

• Single locations work best.

Students and teachers can also visit www.margodavis.com for more information and specific guidelines for the Write to Be Heard competition. Plays must be received by Jan. 7, 2008. Information is also available for students interested in becoming a part of the dramaturgy committee.

"If every student in the entire U.S. took theater, we would be a lot more peaceful place," Davis said.