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Teenage Scribeland

Young local playwrights see their works on the big stage

A A A Comments By Cathy Matusow and Bob Ruggiero and Troy Schulze Thursday, Aug 7 2003

Wonder what teenagers think about? If this year's Alley Theatre Houston Young Playwrights Exchange program is any measure, then try '50s small-town racism, Napoleon's last day on St. Helena and a teen trapped in her mother's purse. This weekend, five winning local playwrights will see their scripts read in front of a real audience by professional actors. Since the program's 1999 debut, HYPE mentors have helped teens develop their scripts for plays. According to HYPE producer Mary Scott Hagle, though, a "dismaying" number of this year's finalists say they want to become filmmakers. "Live theater is a more exciting, immediate and potentially life-changing medium," she says. "It's our job to convince them of that." 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, August 8 and 9. Alley Theatre's Neuhaus Stage, 615 Texas Avenue. For information, call 713-228-8421. $5. -- Bob Ruggiero

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Rugrat Report

WED 8/13

River Oaks kids look forward to Wednesdays, when Borders presents Explorer Story Time readings and activities. Rush your rugrat to the bookstore this week for adventure tales based on the animated Nickelodeon series about an eccentric, world-famous traveling family, The Wild Thornberrys. 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 13. Borders River Oaks, 3025 Kirby. For information, call 713-524-0200. Free. -- Troy Schulze

Something's Fishy

You don't have to trek very far to go fishin'. At Bob's Fishing Pier in Hermann Park, kids 12 and younger and adults 65 and older can cast their lines into McGovern Lake, which is stocked with bluegill, sunfish, channel catfish and largemouth bass. But don't go expecting to catch your dinner; rules say you have to toss 'em back. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. 6001 Fannin. For directions or information, call 713-524-5876. Free. -- Cathy Matusow

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