That's what we do.
Since 1987, Philadelphia Young Playwrights (PYP) has partnered with educators to bring the transformative power of playwriting into classrooms and community settings across Greater Philadelphia. Placing students at the center of their learning, PYP's intensive writing residencies advance writing-based literacy skills while developing critical 21st century skills like creativity, communication, and collaboration.
Since 1987, Philadelphia Young Playwrights (PYP) has partnered with educators to bring the transformative power of playwriting into classrooms and community settings across Greater Philadelphia. Placing students at the center of their learning, PYP's intensive writing residencies advance writing-based literacy skills while developing critical 21st century skills like creativity, communication, and collaboration.
Our Mission
Philadelphia Young Playwrights celebrates student voices through the art of playwriting.
Our Vision:
Philadelphia Young Playwrights envisions a joyful world in which youth in the Greater Philadelphia area are empowered to use their voices to tell stories that matter to them, using their words to build their sense of agency, inspire change, and create theater that speaks to the future of our region and our world.
Philadelphia Young Playwrights values:
-Empowering young voices, fostering creativity, and championing the power of storytelling.
-Creating space for students to exist as their full selves, joyfully and truthfully.
-Encouraging self-expression, building self esteem and agency, embracing diverse perspectives, and providing a platform for young people to share their unique stories uncensored.
-Guiding teachers and teaching artists through the work of fostering new generations of storytellers and theater makers, through robust dialogue, supportive thinking spaces, and responsive professional development.
-Providing access to theater for young people of all backgrounds and experiences
Our Vision:
Philadelphia Young Playwrights envisions a joyful world in which youth in the Greater Philadelphia area are empowered to use their voices to tell stories that matter to them, using their words to build their sense of agency, inspire change, and create theater that speaks to the future of our region and our world.
Philadelphia Young Playwrights values:
-Empowering young voices, fostering creativity, and championing the power of storytelling.
-Creating space for students to exist as their full selves, joyfully and truthfully.
-Encouraging self-expression, building self esteem and agency, embracing diverse perspectives, and providing a platform for young people to share their unique stories uncensored.
-Guiding teachers and teaching artists through the work of fostering new generations of storytellers and theater makers, through robust dialogue, supportive thinking spaces, and responsive professional development.
-Providing access to theater for young people of all backgrounds and experiences
Our History
Adele Magner, Founder
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Philadelphia Young Playwrights was conceived by founder Adele Magner. In 1986, Adele consulted with Gerald Chapman of New York's Young Playwrights, Inc. and gathered a group of Delaware Valley educators and theatre professionals to further her vision. The program emerged as a groundbreaking tool for classroom teachers to inspire students' literacy learning and creativity. It began its first full year operation in the 1987-88 school year.
PYP mourned the untimely passing of Adele Magner in 2000. In the summer of 2001, the Board hired Glen Knapp as Executive Producing Director to sustain and advance Adele's outstanding legacy. In 2016, Lisa Nelson-Haynes began as Executive Director to take Philadelphia Young Playwrights into its 4th decade! |
