The Farm-to-Table Play Festival is the culminating production of The Manton Avenue Project’s 2017 Playmaking program, an afterschool playwriting course held at MAP’s Clubhouse in Olneyville. Ten young playwrights, all 3rd graders, each worked with a dramaturge (grown-up playwriting mentor) to write a new play that explores the theme of local farms and local food. For this project, The Manton Avenue Project partnered with Farm Fresh Rhode Island. MAP students took field trips to the Farm Fresh warehouse and to Southside Community Land Trust’sCity Farm.
“The Manton Avenue Project is thrilled to be partnering with Farm Fresh RI for the Farm-to-Table Play Festival. This production will be a culmination of an eight-week class for first-time playwrights, ten 3rd graders from William D’Abate Elementary School in Olneyville. What an incredible way to partner with one of Providence’s greatest organizations and learn about their important work,” says MAP’s Executive Artistic Director Meg Sullivan. “I can’t wait to see what our newest playwrights create after learning about the role local farms and farmers play in building a healthier community.”
The Manton Avenue Project (MAP) is a non-profit organization that unites children living in Providence’s Olneyville neighborhood with local theater professionals to create original plays together. The Manton Avenue Project’s mission is to nurture the unique potential of kids living in Olneyville through playmaking. Each of MAP’s out-of-school time programs is focused on playwriting education, mentorship, and bringing the creative voices of young people to the stage.
The Manton Avenue Project (MAP) will stage its next performance: May 11-14. Performances will take place at 7pm on Thursday and Friday, and 2pm on Saturday and Sunday, in AS220’s Blackbox at 95 Empire Street in downcity Providence.