HYPE, short of the Houston Young Playwrights Exchange, brings Texas teens' plays to the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts Black Box Theatre via the Alley Theatre's company of actors Aug. 10-11. Each year, the Houston venue sponsors the playwrighting contest, which normally takes place in the company's Neuhaus Arena Stage, this year too damaged by Tropical Storm Alison for performances. The winners in 2001's HYPE are Seeing Slowly by 17-year-old Daryl Banner, about a middle-aged woman trying to accept her past; the romantic comedy Time Machine by 17-year-old La Ree Holt; 18 year-old Kelli Gambrell's and 17-year-old Krista Brod's teenage look at abuse, Behind Close Doors; and Fifty, a drama by 19-year-old Hector Amaya about three women's tragic secret.

Staged readings of the plays run at 8 PM each night. A donation of $5 is suggested. For reservations, call (713) 228-8421. The Alley Theatre is on the web at http://www.alleytheatre.org.

— By Christine Ehren