Staff
Glen Knapp, Executive Producing Director
Glen Knapp is Executive Producing Director of Philadelphia Young Playwrights, celebrating twenty-one years of tapping the potential of youth and inspiring learning through playwriting. He is a senior lecturer in theater management at the University of the Arts and Temple University, president of the board of Scrap Performance Group, board member and two-term board chair of the Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia and has served on the Leadership Committee for Arts Education for the School District of Philadelphia and the Arts Advisory Committee of the Philadelphia Art Alliance.Glen’s career in theater, arts administration and... Expand
Amy Hodgdon, Ph.D., Director of Education and Programs
Amy Hodgdon, Ph.D. has an M.A. in Theatre from Villanova University and a Doctorate in the teaching of writing from the University of Pennsylvania. Her responsibilities include working with young playwrights and teachers to ensure that students are actively engaged in the playwriting process, helping facilitate professional development sessions, and working with student playwrights, teaching artists, and dramaturgs during the production of student plays.Dr. Hodgdon also participates in the final selection committee for the annual playwriting festival and serves as a dramaturg to students during Young Playwrights’ productions. She... Expand
Genne Murphy, General and Program Manager
Genne is a Philly native, playwright, and graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, with a BFA in Dramatic Writing. She is a member of the InterAct Theatre Company Playwrights Forum, and sits on the task force of the Philadelphia New Play Initiative. While in New York she worked as an Assistant to the Directors of The Drama League and the New York Lesbian and Gay Film Festival. She was also involved in several Tisch productions as a playwright, actor, and co-producer. Locally, she has had readings or performances of her plays and monologues with Azuka Theatre Company, Flashpoint Theatre Company, Madhouse Late Night Cabaret, the... Expand
Judy Adamson, Finance Director and Development Manager
Judy Adamson has worked with Philadelphia Young Playwrights since 1999 helping to guide and develop the financial systems for the transition from a founder driven organization through the rapid growth of the last 10 years. She also assists with development management and other administrative functions. She has over 35 years experience in business and non-profit administrative management. She also works as a financial consultant with a range of non-profit organizations, including Research for Action, Women’s Medical Fund, and the Community Education Center. Expand
Nirvana Rivera, Program and Outreach Associate
Nirvana Rivera , Program and Outreach Associate Nirvana Rivera graduated from Villanova University with a B.A. in Communication with a certificate in Public Relations. During her time at Villanova she also participated in a number of organizations including Villanova Student Musical Theatre, Peers Offering Wellness Education and Resources, and many cultural organizations. Nirvana’s play, The Adventure of a Playwright, was chosen as a first place winner during Young Playwrights’ 2002 Playwriting Festival and received performances at Temple University and Philadelphia Theatre Company.As Program and Outreach Associate... Expand
Lindsay Mauck, Resource Development Associate
Lindsay graduated from Temple University with a B.M. in Music Education. She worked closely with Temple Theatres as Musical Coordinator and a performer in their productions of Ragtime (Emma Goldman) and Into the Woods (Stepmother), and recently went back as the Musical Director for Caucasian Chalk Circle. Lindsay has performed in many regional theaters including Forestburgh Playhouse (NY), New Candlelight Theater (DE), Allenberry Playhouse (PA), and Hershey Playhouse (PA). She also spent time as Assistant to the Producer and Company Manager at Maples Repertory Theatre in Macon, MO.In 2008, Lindsay co-founded and currently serves as... Expand
Leyla Eraslan, Office Administrator
Leyla Eraslan graduated from La Salle University with a B.A. in English/Writing with a minor in Sociology. While at La Salle, Leyla wrote for and edited the university’s creative arts magazine, The Grimoire, and was involved in a number of cultural and socially conscious campus organizations. Since then, Leyla has spent significant chunks of time volunteering with various dynamic Philadelphia-based arts organizations, and working with the nonprofit Campus Philly as a Philly Fellow. In her scant free-time, she continues to write. As Office Administrator Leyla supports the Young Playwrights staff in a number of administrative and... Expand
Yuan Liu, Marketing and Communications Coordinator
Yuan Liu graduated from Swarthmore College with a B.A. in Studio Art and English Literature. While at Swarthmore, Yuan spent her time balancing her love of Renaissance literature with her devotion to the visuals arts as a ceramicist and the List Gallery Intern. Yuan is the first Philly Fellow for Young Playwrights. She manages Young Playwrights’ social networking sites, promotes special events and productions, and assists in fundraising. Expand
Alisa Howard, Teaching Artist Apprentice
Alisa Howard is an alumna of the University of the Arts, with an undergraduate degree in Acting. Hailing from Maryland, Alisa has performed at the Arden Theatre, the Walnut Street Theatre, Philadelphia Fringe Festival, and Theatre of the Seventh Sister. Currently, she is understudying for the role of Wendy in Peter Pan at the Arden Theatre. Expand
Davon Williams, Teaching Artist Apprentice
Davon Williams is a recent graduate of University of the Arts with an undergraduate degree in Theatre with a concentration in Acting and a minor in Musical Theatre. He is currently a Teaching Artist for The Wilma Theatre, Theatre Exile, and KIPP Charter School. Expand
Myra Bazell, Resident Director
Young Playwrights’ various teaching artists have backgrounds in theatre, writing and education. Most are recognizable names from the Philadelphia theatre scene and were chosen for Young Playwrights because of their experience, background and specific abilities to work with teachers and students in the classroom. Teaching artists have included Ed Shockley, Bruce Graham, Michael Hollinger, Bobbi Block, Seth Rozin, Walt Vail and Connie Norwood. Expand