In a time filled with MTV and videos, it is rare to see a student do anything on a computer besides surf the net. But for three midwest high school scholars, this is not the case.

Amy Riggs, Ashley Vinsel and Crystal Mackey are three aspiring playwrights chosen by Louisville's family theater's Stage One, as finalist for their annual contest Tomorrow's Playwrights.

Now in its tenth year, Tomorrow's Playwrights contest searches for dramatist 14-18 years of age from the Indiana, Kentucky area to present original works no more then 30 pages long.

The plays deal with issues ranging from obsession and identity crisis to politically incorrect views of life and death. Tomorrow's Playwrights gives teenagers the opportunity to tackle issues that affect them.

This year, 40 plays were submitted for review. Each play was reviewed by a panel of theater judges, which included Louisville's Assistant Producing Director Daniel Harring and Producing Director Moses Goldberg. The three finalist will have their work presented in a Critics' Circle reading. After which they have two weeks to clean the piece and resubmit it for final judging. Final placements are made according to the last piece submitted and the revisions made.

Stage One is currently rounding up directors to stage the readings. Playwrights will be actively involved in the reading so they can work with and revise their works before the final presentation.

The top winning playwright will receive $500 for themselves and $500 for their school.

The Critics' Circle readings will be held Monday April 26 in the Boyd Martin Experimental Theatre. Admission is free, but reservations are recommended. For more information or reservations call (502) 562-0885.

-- by Angelica Roderick