McNeal playwrights recognized

Move over, Shakespeare.

East County students are making their move.

Six students from McNeal Elementary School recently earned special recognition during the 2013 Young Playwright Festival sponsored by Florida Studio Theater.

Only 15 playwrights who entered in the international competition, which received more than 3,000 entries, were selected to have a professional production of their play performed. Among them were three McNeal students: fourth-grader Clay Barone for “Pressed”; fourth-grader Blake Wood for “Tuna Trouble”; and third-grader Zander Moricz for “Rebecca’s Sunday Secret.”

Three of McNeal’s writers — of 30 total chosen — earned honorable mentions. They included: third-grader Nathaniel Klein for “Hiccups! Noooo!!”; second-grader Mixon Rixon for “The Adventures of Captain Punch-You”; and fourth-grader Hannal Miller for “A Snowman Paradise?”

The professional production of the plays and an awards ceremony will be part of the Sarasota Festival of New Plays Saturday, May 11.