VSA arts Presents Aliza Goldstein of Jacksonville, Fla., with Playwright Discovery Award

August 16, 2007

WASHINGTON, August 16, 2007 – VSA arts announces Aliza Goldstein of Jacksonville, Fla., as its recipient of the 2007 Playwright Discovery Award for her play, “Izzy Icarus Fell Off the World.” The play will be produced at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Sept. 27, 2007.

Teenage Izzy is fascinated by birds. With beach season fading, he loves to stand on the sand, flap his arms, and watch the gulls take flight for winter. His curious movements have attracted the eye of budding photographer Dove, who waits poised with her camera, convinced he’s going to fly. “That’s why he’s called Izzy Icarus,” she says. “Like the character in Greek mythology.” When her classmate insists that Izzy, who has autism, is dreaming the impossible, Dove is determined to prove her wrong.

“The Playwright Discovery Program encourages creative writing and promotes disability awareness in the classroom,” said Soula Antoniou, president of VSA arts. “We’re proud to be able to offer young people this opportunity to see their play produced.”

Goldstein is a 15-year-old entering her junior year at the Stanton College Preparatory School in Jacksonville. A previous volunteer at the Mt. Herman Exceptional Student Center, a center for students with developmental disabilities, Goldstein chose to address autism in her play “because it’s something so easily misunderstood.” Goldstein has been actively involved in all aspects of theater from a young age, including writing, acting, costuming, and technical crew. She is a member of the International Thespian Society, and two of her previous works were selected for performance at Stanton’s annual night of student-written one-act plays.

Now in its 23rd year, the Playwright Discovery Program encourages middle and high school students of all abilities to write a one-act play about disability. The winner travels to Washington, D.C., to view a professional production of their play at the Kennedy Center. In addition, the winning playwright receives $2,000 and mentoring opportunities.

VSA arts is an international nonprofit organization founded in 1974 by Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith to create a society where people with disabilities learn through, participate in, and enjoy the arts. VSA arts provides educators, parents, and artists with resources and the tools to support arts programming in schools and communities. VSA arts showcases the accomplishments of artists with disabilities and promotes increased access to the arts for people with disabilities. Each year millions of people participate in VSA arts programs through a nationwide network of affiliates and in more than 60 countries around the world. VSA arts is an affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. For more information, visit www.vsarts.org.

Media Contact:

Stephanie Taylor/VSA arts
(202) 628-2800 ext. 3883
SKTaylor@vsarts.org