Lisa Nelson-Haynes named new head of Philadelphia Young Playwrights

Lisa Nelson-Haynes, associate director of the Painted Bride Arts Center for 15 years, will be taking the reins at Philadelphia Young Playwrights (PYP), the nonprofit theater and educational organization, on April 5.

In announcing the appointment, PYP board president Jim Geier cited Nelson-Haynes' experience and her "passion for the mission of unleashing the potential of young people through playwriting."

Nelson-Haynes, 50, takes over after the departure of Glen Knapp, who announced his resignation last year. He departed in December, after 15 years at PYP, to pursue interests in education and the foundation world.

Nelson-Haynes lauded PYP's "unique and effective approach to fostering learning for students of all ages and backgrounds."

Founded in 1987, PYP pairs a teaching artist with a classroom teacher to support students in creation of a play. The program now operates in more than 65 public and private classrooms around Philadelphia.

More than 60,000 students have participated over the years, partnering with 60 playwrights and many area professional theater companies.

Nelson-Haynes said she was eager to work with PYP and "drive the next era of growth."

Students participate in writing workshops, an annual playwriting festival, public presentations at schools, and professional productions at local theaters.

Among PYP's alums are novelist Elise Juska, chair of creating writing at the University of the Arts; Adam Goldberg, exec producer of ABC's The Goldbergs and chairman of PYP's alumni council; and Quiara Alegría Hudes, winner of the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for drama (for Water by the Spoonful), a Tony Award nominee, and PYP board member.

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