"YPT is fun. I consider the staff like my family, because I've been here for so long. I feel comfortable."
- Mercedes Gramajo

Mercedes Gramajo has been working with Young Playwrights' Theater since 2007, first as a student in the In-School Playwriting Program at Bell Multicultural High School, then as a participant in the Young Playwrights' Workshop for three semesters. She has written original plays, performed her own writing, and served as an actress for other students' plays as well.

Mercedes graduated from Bell Multicultural High School in June. This summer she is working with YPT as an intern, with support from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. Mercedes is an assistant teacher for the Horizons at Maret program, and also provides support in the YPT office.

Her real passion is for performance. "When I was in elementary school, my teacher gave me a solo. I liked the feedback I got from the audience," Mercedes says. "Ever since then I've felt that performance is a part of me. It's something that I have to do."

Mercedes will begin her college career at Bowie State in the fall. She hopes to transfer after one year to Virginia Commonwealth University and major in theater or mass communications/broadcast journalism.

"My dream is to perform on Broadway," she says. "But first I need to learn more about the foundations of theater. I've studied with YPT and the Studio Theater, but I need to learn more. I'm taking it step by step."

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