Playfest 2026

 

Click here for audition information for this and other Spotlight Youth Theatre productions.

About This Production

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WHAT HAPPENS ON THE SHELF, STAYS ON THE SHELF

By Katerina Anderson

Summary:

What Happens on the Shelf Stays on the Shelf is a comedic play set in a rehabilitation program for misfit “Elves on the Shelf”. A group of Santa’s damaged and quirky elves confront their issues and burnout under the guidance of a “therapist”.  The characters in the play deliver dry and witty humor with a twisted look of a common Christmas tradition gone wrong. 

Katerina is currently a senior at Chaparral High School and thrilled to see her play come to life on Spotlight’s stage! Her written work has appeared once before, in the form of the legendary one-act play titled The Making of Boys Town the Musical in Spotlight’s 2023-24 Playfest (IYKYK). She has been performing in shows across the Valley for many years. Recent favorite roles include Eurydice in Hadestown (SYT – Zoni Award), Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors (CHS – ASU Gammage Award), Cheshire Cat/Tabatha in Alice by Heart (SYT), Katherine Howard in Six (SYT), Karen Smith in Mean Girls (CHS), Angie Dickenson in The Prom (SYT – Zoni Nom), Alice Russell in Lizzie (SYT – NYA Nom), and Morticia Addams in The Addams Family (SYT  – Zoni Nom). She would like to thank Kenny Grossman and Spotlight for their support and commitment to young playwrights and artists!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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THE DEATH OF A FRIEND: A DEARBORN CASE FILE

By Lucy Currier

Summary:

What begins as a casual dinner between newly-weds Tom and Louise Bailey and their old friend Clark quickly escalates into a crime scene. It is up to Detective Gray Dearborn to use his sleuthing skills to interrogate suspects and search for clues to discover the truth behind the mysterious events. Enjoy this whodunnit and maybe you can, along with Detective Dearborn, solve this murder case.

Lucy is so honored to have had her play selected for Playfest 2026. She is In 12th grade and taking courses at PVCC. She loves to read, write, play guitar, spend time with her family and participate in theater. Most recently, you may have seen her in Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing here at Spotlight! She is very grateful for this opportunity, and would like to thank  Kenny, SYT, and her family.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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MEIN LIEBCHEN

By Angeline Doa

Summary: 

Adelheid Bonbon worked at a textile factory in 1930s Germany. Alongside her friend Dame Treue, both bond together over their small paychecks, lack of a love life, and a bottle of wine in Adelheid’s apartment. But one day, Dame finds…chocolates? At Adelheid’s doorstep? Who in the world is giving them to her? Will Adelheid ever find out? Is love truly in store for her? Set to the backdrop of the rise of the Nazi’s and the impending doom of World War II, this story of friendship, pride, survival and nationalism takes us to a time in history where love, sometimes, wasn’t enough.

Angeline is so honored to have been selected to have their play be one of this year’s Playfest winners at Spotlight Youth Theatre. Angeline has always loved both theatre and writing, so she couldn’t be more ecstatic to have gotten this opportunity. This opportunity has made her grow more as a writer and as a person who simply loves theatre more than anything. She wants to thank her parents and her friends for always supporting her and she also wants to thank everyone at Spotlight for this amazing opportunity! She hopes you enjoy her play!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cast

Production Team