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Marquis Herring and Nia Davis each wrote about violence in the city.
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Professional theater will perform students' work
Two talented young writers, winners of the Philadelphia Young Playwrights annual festival, will have their works performed by professionals as a part of Philadelphia's "40 Days of Nonviolence" this month.
Marquis Herring and Nia Davis both wrote semiautobiographical one-act plays about a struggle that many young people in Philadelphia face today: the choice between breaking or continuing the cycle of violence.
"Nia and Marquis are two exceptionally talented artists who chose to make statements about nonviolence," said Glen Knapp, the executive producing director of Young Playwrights. "Their two winning plays fit perfectly together on stage."
Philadelphia Young Playwrights, in association with the Philadelphia Theatre Company, will offer its professionally produced and directed versions of these plays Thursday through Saturday at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad St.
The plays were written during a particularly violent period in the city. In 2006, there were 406 homicides, and in 2007, police reported 392. Violent crimes shaped the lives and works of Herring and Davis.
Davis wrote her play, A Poetic Life, a winner of the 2006 competition, for a drama class in her junior year at Northeast High School. It revolves around a young woman who finds her voice in a poetry club when violence erupts between female gang members at her school.
"Almost everything that happens on stage in my play is something that has either happened to me or to someone I know," said Davis.
Herring wrote his play, The Choices We Make, in his senior year at Parkway Northwest High School. His story is based on personal experiences, as well, telling the story of a young man living in a homeless shelter who must decide whether to settle a score.
Herring's family was involved in an 82-week conflict that resulted from an argument at a basketball court.
"I want other young people to see this and think, 'Maybe I don't have to fight. Maybe I should just walk away,' " Herring said.
Davis and Herring also collaborated on a poem that will bridge their two plays titled "The Choice Is Yours."
"I was amazed at how our work fit together," Herring said. "We both have had such similar experiences and have incredibly similar writing styles."
Herring and Davis have been able to work with professionals in theater as part of their experience.
Charles Dumas, director of the Acting in Media program in Temple University's theater department, is directing the plays, which mostly star Temple students.
Davis is now attending Temple and Herring is at Lock Haven University. Both are freshmen who continue to study drama.
"Both of these plays address key issues that young people must face," said Dumas. "It's impressive that they are so authentic and well-written. All told, they make for a great evening at the theater."
Both plays will be presented at two sold-out matinees for students on Thursday and Feb. 29. Performances open to the public are at 8 p.m. Thursday and 2 p.m. March 1. Admission: $15, $12 for students and seniors, $10 per ticket for groups of 10 or more, and free for student groups. For tickets, call the Philadelphia Theatre Company's box office at 215-985-0420. For student groups, call 215-665-9226.
Contact staff writer David King at 215-854-4193 or dking@phillynews.com.
Both plays will be presented at two sold-out matinees for students on Thursday and Feb. 29. Performances open to the public are at 8 p.m. Thursday and 2 p.m. March 1. Admission: $15, $12 for students and seniors, $10 per ticket for groups of 10 or more, and free for student groups. For tickets, call the Philadelphia Theatre Company's box office at 215-985-0420. For student groups, call 215-665-9226.
Contact staff writer David King at 215-854-4193 or dking@phillynews.com.
