What Students Say About YPT…

For your viewing pleasure, we compiled all the language from our 2010-11 qualitative student assessments to capture a snapshot of what our students say about YPT. Click on the photo below to view a full-size version of the image.

What are the first words that come to mind when you think of YPT?

Nicole
Program Manager

YPT Presents Sneak Previews of a New Play about Woodlawn Cemetery and Ward 7

Early in the morning on Saturday, September 11^th, 2010, approximately one hundred volunteers, actors, local historians, community members, and YPT staff (not to mention the 36,000 resting below) gathered at the historic Woodlawn Cemetery in honor of the National Day of Service. We listened to speakers from Greater DC Cares, the Woodlawn Perpetual Care Association, and to YPT’s very own Producing Artistic Director David Snider, then watched as YPT actors read a teaser from our upcoming play Woodlawn, inspired by the oral histories of community members, many of whom watched intently from the front rows.

Then the “fun” began – volunteers got to work cutting branches, mowing grass, and pulling weeds, beginning to bring life back to the space. I worked alongside students, non-profit employees, and community members, speculating about the history below us as we tackled particularly gruesome branches. Even the seven-year-old grandson of a participant in YPT’s oral history project did his part, walking between volunteers to offer bottles of cold water.

As I headed down the hill to leave for part two of my day, I saw an older woman seated by herself where the crowd had watched the performance just moments ago. She looked calm and satisfied as she surveyed the people before her. I sat down and she began to explain her connection to the space. Her grandparents and aunt were buried at Woodlawn, and though she used to visit frequently, the lack of upkeep made it difficult to continue. She was thrilled that volunteers were caring for the space, and at the same time knew that the weeds would probably return before next year’s Day of Service. Instead of clearing plants, her own efforts to remember and honor her family had turned to recording her family history on paper.

Words are powerful things. For all the clearing of brush, it is ultimately the stories we uncover that matter, and the sharing of these experiences that bring life to the cemetery and meaning to the people who listen. The work volunteers did on this Day of Service was incredibly meaningful, but the true worth of the experience is in the connection people will now have with Woodlawn because they have heard and built their own story there.

This was made clear in the afternoon, when a new audience of people met at Sidney Harman Hall to view a scene from Woodlawn as part of Arts on Foot. They reacted with laughter, shock, and curiosity, clearly intrigued by the stories they heard. When the last (cliffhanger) line was spoken and the lights when dark, there was a brief pause before an eruption of applause. Though most of these people had never set foot at Woodlawn Cemetery, the words spoken by the actors had built a bridge of meaning.

Telling stories is crucial, but having an audience is what gives the stories meaning. Though it is far away, I hope you can join me on February 7^th to listen and participate in the conversation that is history, and build your own story about Woodlawn Cemetery.

Raina
Community Engagement Associate

YPT Welcomes Raina Fox as Our New Community Engagement Associate!

Sometimes artists get a bad name: they are disorganized and unreliable. They let their ideas get ahead of their ability to perform. They live in a world of their own.

I am so thrilled to be part of a team of artists who share none of those traits.

As I end my very first week as Community Engagement Associate at the Young Playwrights’ Theater, I am overcome by the energy, intelligence, organization, creativity, and passion of the folks who make it possible for our young playwrights to contribute to and be a part of our creative world.

On Tuesday evening, YPT held its first ever kick-off event, at which actors performed teaser scenes from three student plays. Students, families, board members, supporters, and staff gathered to celebrate and watch as these plays begin to form. We watched as a boy from the moon struggled to understand earth, a young man and his turtle friend confronted their own personal hell (high school), and a couple’s relationship started to deteriorate because of a text message.  The plays were funny, insightful, clever, and entertaining. However, the best part was watching the young playwrights as they saw their characters come to life through the words they had written. Though they seemed a bit embarrassed, they absolutely radiated pride and excitement. I was so happy to approach the essence of YPT by experiencing these plays alongside their young writers and so many members of the wonderful YPT community.

I also experienced the first stage of a Fannie Mae-commissioned play on homelessness in the form of workshops at N Street Village and Martha’s Table. The women of N Street and children of Martha’s table were amazingly eloquent, perceptive, and enthusiastic when speaking about the issue of homelessness. They were not only willing to share their perspectives, but thrilled to be part of the play to come. I too am excited to see where these community perspectives lead the creative process and to have my perspective of homelessness tested along the way.

This week was the perfect introduction to my time at YPT—I was able to see the brainstorming and writing processes, experience the first stage in producing a play, and begin to connect with YPT and the broader community. As I start to develop ways to further engage our community, I know this is rooted in a strong, supportive, passionate group of folks, who, yes, happen to be artists.

Raina
Community Engagement Associate