Mentorship Project

On April 1st, 2023, distinguished playwrights and directors joined the YPU family for a mentorship project that would lead to a reading of ten-minute plays. The mentors met on Zoom with the writers, as a group, twice a week for five months. There were often as many as nine professional writers and directors in the same meeting with the young writers. The conversations were moving and inspirational. Over six weeks, twice a week, actors came in for cold readings followed be feedback for the writers. The writers lives were changed by the project and many remain in close contact with their mentor today. All the writers, directors, and actors have gone on to become a part of the YPU family and continue to be a huge influence in the work and the lives of the young writers.

MENTOR WRITERS

Will Arbery
Billy Finnegan
Jessica Goldberg
Daniel Goldfarb
Suzanne Heathcote
Peter Hedges
Jacquelyn Reingold
Kate Robin
Alexis Scheer

MENTOR DIRECTORS

Mark Brokaw
Maggie Burrows
Sammi Cannold
Peter Hedges
Jodie Markell
Paul McCrane
Tyne Rafaeli
Lars Rudolfsson
Danya Taymor

“It would be a massive understatement to say that I was—and remain—completely in awe of the exceptional young artists I met as a mentor for Young Playwrights Ukraine. These writers possess wisdom and artistry far beyond their years and their extraordinarily profound work moved me and everyone else who was fortunate to experience it immeasurably. They have overcome unfathomable challenges and I know that despite those challenges, they have the brightest of futures ahead of them.”

— Sammi Cannold, director

Jacquelyn Reingold
Daniel Goldfarb
Wil Arbery
Mark Brokaw
Paul McCrane
Lars Rudolfsson
Kate Robin
Suzanne Heathecote
Alexis Scheer
Lars Rudolfsson
Jodie Markell
Laura Cahill, Kate Robin, Jacquelyn Reingold, Alexis Scheer, Daniel Goldfarb
Peter Hedges
Jacquelyn Reingold
Kate Robin
Maggie Burrows and Billy Finnegan

These authors all effortlessly mine the depths of their country’s soul, and their work is full of joy, despair, laughter, betrayal, but most importantly hope — seen through eyes too young to already know such heartbreak. These wise and uplifting plays collectively tell a truth that is unmistakable: the authors are the future and their spirits will not be broken.

Mark Brokaw