"Seeing Lucy's plays was like seeing her soul manifest before my eyes."

PVMP Fellow, Kirstie Floyd, goes to the Big Apple!

By: Kirstie Floyd (Central High School/12th Grade)


I had the privilege of a lifetime. Because of the Paula Vogel Mentorship and Philadelphia Young Playwrights, I was able to see three of my mentor’s five plays that were running in New York City. I was accompanied by the project coordinator David O’Connor. The author/mentor is Lucy Thurber. The works I had seen were titled Scarcity, Asheville and Where We’re Born. Each play takes place in Western Massachusetts and focus on the monotony of rural life. Although each plot and every character is different, all protagonists feel a sense of being trapped and having to make opportunities for themselves and not feel guilty about it.

Seeing Lucy’s plays was like seeing her soul manifest before my eyes. I really feel like I know more about her and who she is as a person and writer. She showed me that as a writer you can write about the same topic multiple times but get a different story out of each piece, each one having the same impact. The experience also taught me that you should only write what you care about. This experience will enhance our relationship as I learn from her and she learns from me. In addition to the amazing workshop that took place on Saturday, September 14th, this trip has inspired me and now ideas are flowing like a faucet. I’m so excited to begin my writing journey.

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