The gala marks the culmination of a yearlong program in which school students get first-hand instruction in theatre from professional playwrights, directors, designers and actors. The students are afforded the opportunity to attend Billy Elliot on Broadway and then create a play based on the themes of the Tony Award-winning musical.

The Fidelity Futurestage Playwrighting Contest selects six student-written plays, which will be performed as part of the June 14 finale. Navy Blue Tiles, by Katarzyna Roszczeda, has been named the winning entry in the 2010 contest. Students from across the New York City area will perform the works.

The winning plays follow:

The Basketball Team (by Luis Ramirez age 11). "A play about friendship, teamwork and learning that sometimes the sum of parts is bigger than the parts alone. Five friends come together to form their school’s first official basketball team, learning the meaning of 'team’ along the way."

For the Love of Art (by Krystal Thomas age 17). "The story about a young girl who uses her own body as a canvas to express her passion for art, with tattoos all over her body. This is a powerful play about the nature of art and how it functions in the life of an isolated person." Weapons of Mass Distraction (by Nathalie Torrenegra age 18). The play centers on "Brooke, a smart young girl who is continuously distracted by drama and conflict with her boyfriend, her recently remarried mom and especially new stepsister Donna. Sharing a bedroom puts the girls at major odds."

Beautiful Karma (Nasaun Lineszy age 18). "A story reminiscent of 'A Christmas Carol.' Felix, a grumpy millionaire, dismisses a homeless paper boy seeking shelter during a blizzard. When Felix falls asleep that night, he is sent back to the Great Depression where he experiences poverty, hardship and kindness. He returns to the present a changed man."

Lunch (by Kathleen Rogers age 17). "The contents of Billy’s lunchbox come to life, sharing tales with young apple ‘Little Red’ about how they came to be Billy’s mid-day fare. Anticipating mealtime, the animated food-stuffs teach each other to live for the moment… and then Billy shows up…"

Navy Blue Tiles (by Katarzyna "Kathy" Roszczeda age 17). "A story about lost love – and efforts to regain it. Veteran Vincent returns home to find his ex-love Sophie, now the owner of a bakery where they first fell in love. She’s remodeled the whole place, save for a single navy blue tile which reminds her of Vincent – and her hurt feelings that he left her years ago. She tells him she’s moved on… but has she?"

For further information visit FutureStage.