OUR 2022 SKRILETZ PRIZE WINNER
Wilder Fray Short
“It is a phenomenal opportunity to be the first ever recipient of the Jay Skriletz Playwriting Initiative Prize,” wrote Short.“I am beyond grateful for the Skriletz family’s generosity, and honored to be a part of a long legacy of remarkably personal work at Stage East. In the 45th is a a play about pain, reminiscing, and forgiveness, and one that I am grateful to share with Stage East for further development!”
The winner of the inaugural Jay Skriletz Playwriting Initiative is Wilder Fray Short, a Bowdoin student, and his script, In the 45th. Short will visit Eastport for a week-long workshop with Stage East; his play will be presented for the public as a staged reading on May 6 and 7 at 7 pm, on the Eastport Arts Center stage. The young writer will also receive a $1,000 prize. The staged readings will be presented by suggested donation of $15; proceeds will go towards the fund for future prizes.
Short is a writer, actor, and European football enthusiast. Born in Los Angeles, he was raised on the simple principles of having fun, taking initiative whenever possible, and tackling each day with a smile and laugh in hand. He engrossed himself in the theater world while at Bowdoin College, where he is currently finishing up his degree in Theater and Government and Legal Studies. When not writing or learning how to hold a note, Wilder loves to throw himself into the abyss that is supporting Manchester United, reading about new post-punk groups, and going to the local cinema with friends.
Stage East created the Playwriting Initiative in honor of Jay Skriletz, who passed away in January 2021. Skriletz spent over 50 years passionately involved in the theater. His employment took him from Seattle to Eastport including a position as technical director at Penobscot Theater. With a Master of Arts in Theater, he was a force in all aspects and genres including Shakespeare, farce, musicals, tragedy, drama and outright comedy. He directed, produced, designed, constructed, acted and sang in show after show. As founding director of Stage East, he elevated the quality of every production he undertook and never let difficulties or challenges become an obstacle to success.A
Learn more about the Initiative here.