The Project’s style of teaching drama and creating theater focuses on the individual child. The same kids who are too often one of thirty or more in a public school classroom are outnumbered by adult collaborators at The Project. In the “Playmaking” program series (the first step on the Project ladder), ten children enroll in a nine-week play writing course taught by the Associate Artistic Director and adapted for The Project by Daniel Judah Sklar from his book, “Playmaking: Children Writing and Performing Their Own Plays.” At the end of the course, the kids are taken (along with their volunteer adult dramaturge/directors) out of town for a “writers’ retreat” in the countryside. After writing their own plays, each child is given a professional cast to complete the expression of their personal vision. The finished plays enjoy a three-day run at the Project’s Five Angels Theater in Manhattan. The Project produces two Playmaking Stage-One programs each year; one ends in December, the other in March. Playmaking performances, like all of the Project’s shows, are presented for free to the general public.

From JACKIE & LILY by Asia Hoa Rosado (age 10).

JACKIE
M-my parents are getting divorced.

LILY
Is there anything else?

JACKIE
(Whines) I—I. My dad is moving to England.

LILY
And?

JACKIE
I—I, I’m moving with him forever. (Blows a tissue) Never visiting.

LILY
How—How—How come you can’t stay with your mom?

JACKIE
Because my mom said she’ll start a new life without us. Besides, I’m leaving tomorrow after noon. This is the last time I’m seeing you. Uhhh! (Crying and whining.)

LILY
Why you didn’t tell me before?

JACKIE
I was Afraid. It’s hard to get a way from someone you love. I had to tell you now.

LILY
Oh, I see!