With more than ten years of experience in nonprofit development, Brenna Hill is a fierce advocate for the performing arts and how nonprofits can be a partner in dismantling white supremacy. She is drawn to YPT’s mission through her passionate commitment to social justice and to ensuring that young people are empowered to share their voices and create meaningful societal change.
Prior to joining YPT, Brenna worked in Development roles at The National Center for Children and Families, Ocean Conservancy, and The John. F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Brenna holds an MFA in Dramaturgy and Script Development from Columbia University School of the Arts. She also has a BA in Drama Studies from SUNY Purchase, summa cum laude, and received the Drama Studies Award for Outstanding Student in her senior year. Originally from New York City, her theater background includes interning under Oskar Eustice at the Public Theater and working at the Ohio Theatre’s Ice Factory Festival. She now lives in Maryland with her partner and two young children and has deep connections with Queer and polyamorous communities in the DMV metro area.
Farah Lawal Harris is a well-dressed poet, artistic leader, and breast cancer survivor who overcomes obstacles with grace, and inspires others to do the same. She is also a Kilroys’ List playwright whose work has been performed at Arena Stage, The Kennedy Center’s Theatre for Young Audiences, The University of Texas at Austin, Round House Theatre, and multiple festivals and universities along the East Coast.
Farah is an emeritus member of Theatre Washington’s Advisory Board and Helen Hayes Award Adjudication Committee. She also co-chaired the 2020 and 2022 DC Theatre Summits. She is a proud co-founder of the Washington, DC-based theatre companies, The Saartjie Project, and Wild Women Theatre, and a three-time individual artist grant recipient from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities.
She lives her life by the following “I Am” statement: “I am divinely connected to all there is, with the power to shift my energy to embody all that I am. I am love, power, resilience, compassion, beauty, intelligence, and vulnerability–ever-evolving with infinite possibility.” Farah gives infinite thanks to God, her family, ancestors, friends, and mentors who shaped her into the woman she is today. To learn more about Farah, visit www.farahlawalharris.com.
Cody is a multi-talented individual who excels in writing, photography, and design. They currently work at YPT, developing and supporting communications strategies for crucial initiatives, campaigns, projects, and announcements. With experience as a multimedia journalist across different states, Cody’s passion lies in community issues and the impact of storytelling. They enjoy playing and creating tabletop role-playing games, and spending quality time with their two pups.
