Archives: Team

Rodney has had the immense pleasure of working with young people as an arts educator for the last decade. He is a spoken word artist and MC with a love for expression that shines through in his work. He believes that words save people and puts this belief into each session he leads. He’s had the privilege of being awarded twice by the Commission of Arts and Humanities for his poetic and musical work in the city. He’s also shared his voice on stages such as The Apple Carnegie Library, Arena Stage, The Kennedy Center, DC9 NightClub, and various Busboys and Poets locations. A passionate worker with a love for language come see Rodney in action in a DC classroom near you! You may discover your own love for language in the process!

Brigitte Winter has more than fifteen years of experience in nonprofit leadership, arts administration, financial management, fundraising, and strategic communications in the DC region. She is also a writer, a photographer, and a co-founder of Scryptid Games, a small press publishing story games for people who love books. The capacity of storytelling to connect, disrupt, inspire, and incite is central to Brigitte’s art and her activism.

Brigitte holds a BFA in Theatre from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), summa cum laude, a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Georgetown University, and a Masters in Public Relations and Corporate Communications from Georgetown University, where she continued to work as an Adjunct Instructor through 2017.

She is the proud recipient of the 2022 EXCEL (Excellence in Executive Leadership) Award from the Center for Nonprofit Advancement, the 2013 Outstanding Alumni of the Year Award from the UMBC Alumni Association, the 2013 Outstanding Student Award from Georgetown University, and the 2012 Georgetown Social Impact Award for her commitment to creating positive social change as a communicator.

Tristan B Willis is an administrator, playwright, performer, and game creator exploring queer stories, distanced performance, and the intersection of theatre and games. As a resident of Orchard Project’s Liveness Lab and CultureHub’s Writing for Electronic Formats, Tristan discussed and cultivated new ways of presenting theatrical work in digital and distanced spaces. They’ve continued that work with the Kennedy Center Local Theatre Residency, Lucille Lortel Theatre residency with support from Caridad Svich, and the Welcome to My Homepage residency.

Tristan is a member of 3D Playwrights (DC Disabled Dramatists) and co-created and coordinated the Theatre Washington Mentoring Program for six years. You can learn more about Tristan and their work at tristanbwillis.com.

Matt is a writer, musician, and AMS Montessori-certified educator with a passion for empowering youth voices through artistic expression. Matt has worked in a variety of educational and administrative roles at schools and art centers in DC, Pittsburgh, and Chicago. He holds an M.Ed from Xavier University and BAs in English and Philosophy from the University of Pittsburgh, where he also studied Jazz Performance with the late Geri Allen. Matt is also a regularly performing drummer and is highly invested in the DC-area performing arts scene.

Matt loves to cook, bike, and listen to the latest in hip-hop, jazz, punk, and folk. Matt is particularly passionate about performing arts as a venue for storytelling, improvisation, and activism, and is proud to advocate for YPT’s programs in his role as Development Manager.

Jared is a DC-based playwright/director/actor. In 2014, he wrote and performed his first one man show, 12, featuring several solo pieces he created as a founding member of Brave Soul Collective. Jared is most proud of his work in HIV prevention, including his travels throughout the country using theater to educate students on the importance of sexual health and responsibility. He considers himself an “artivist,” combining his artistic sensibilities and his activist spirit.