Author Peg Kehret wins so many book awards that her husband made her a special awards necklace to keep track of them all. Each charm is a state where she’s won the children's book award. Peg recently won the 2008 Sasquatch Award for her children’s book, The Ghost’s Grave, in her home state of Washington. Also this year, she was excited to add Tennessee to the jangling charms on the necklace after winning the Volunteer State Book Award for the same book. Stay tuned for more awards, as The Ghost’s Grave has also been nominated in a couple of states that have not yet voted. (Peg’s son-in-law is hoping she doesn’t fall forward from the weight of all the charms on the necklace—a problem which Peg is delighted to have!)

Peg Kehret’s Spirit!—winner of the Forest A. Roberts Playwriting Award, published by Pioneer Drama Service—explores the spirited life of a rebellious and young-at-heart elderly woman who struggles with the restricted, regulated lifestyle of a rest home. Peg also has a few theatre books carried by Pioneer Drama: Acting Natural, Winning Monologues for Young Actors and Encore! More Winning Monologues for Young Actors. Peg’s refreshing writing style captures the unique essence of teens through a variety of teen-oriented monologues, dialogues and short plays for speech contests, acting exercises or audience entertainment. Peg has a delightful web page where fans can browse her long list of publications, read her entertaining blog, view photos, print study guides and learn all about the charmed life of this award-winning author.

Pioneer Drama Service is pleased to announce the upcoming publication of A Midsummer Night's Western.  This creative adaptation, by young Colorado playwright August Mergelman had its first staged reading at The Playwrights Showcase of the Western Region in 2007. 

The play will have its world premiere this month at Red Rocks Community College, less than one year after its first staged reading at the Showcase.  With its adaptation of William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream in a western setting, the play will be presented as part of RRCC's "Git Along, Shakespeare" festival.

Welcome aboard, August, and congratulations!

Rachel Lichtman and Katie Ross, theatre students at Folsom High School, produced not only a play but also a magnanimous act of charity when they staged The Boardinghouse for their senior project in January.  Using donated space at Folsom's Stage Nine Theatre and incorporating the talents of other cast members from the high school drama department, the show ran for three nights with near-capacity crowds.

The Boardinghouse, Vern Harden's mystery-comedy about a clean, cozy home with as zany a cast of boarders as you'll ever see.  They all get pulled into a wild and ridiculous hunt for buried pirate's treasure that may or may not exist.  Filled with hysterical characters and goofy shenanigans, the full length play always has audiences howling from beginning to end.

Vern Harden has written several plays for Pioneer Drama Service, ranging from light-hearted farces to serious, social awareness plays.  He has a varied background in the theatre, having served as an actor, singer, technician, designer, director and manager throughout his career. In addition, he has worked on radio and appeared in movies, and he is also a frequent humorous newspaper columnist.

Folsom Cordova Unified School District requires all students to complete a senior project prior to graduating.  It can be oriented toward service, career, self-development, or curriculum.

We congratulate Rachel and Katie on their success at what we think was an outstanding senior project!