What if a simple idea – a forest fire, a snake or a pink water droplet – could turn into a full-fledged theatrical performance? For a group of young playwrights in Philadelphia, that is precisely what happened. Through Drexel University’s Mantua Theater Project, their stories leaped off the page and onto the stage, turning their ideas and emotions into vibrant, live performances.
Led by Nick Anselmo, this program has been a hub for creative expression for 15 years. Over the last five years, Anselmo has worked closely with Drexel students to mentor kids, ages 8 to 14, in crafting and producing their own plays. But this is more than just a writing exercise—it empowers young voices and gives them the confidence to be heard. Each year, a unique challenge or theme guides their storytelling, but at its core, this initiative helps kids realize that their words hold power.
“They love watching their writing come to life,” said Theater Production Manager Paul Jerue. “It’s more than just words on a page; it’s about taking ownership of their stories and seeing them performed by real actors.”
This year’s production, “Superpower Plays,” exemplified that impact. Each play explored themes of strength, transformation and individuality in ways that felt deeply personal to the young playwrights. One story depicted the fierce force of a raging forest fire, symbolizing both destruction and renewal. Another followed a cunning snake, navigating change and adaptability. The pink water droplet became an unexpected yet beautiful metaphor for embracing uniqueness in a world that often demands conformity. Simple ideas, perhaps, but on stage, they carried a depth of emotion and meaning far beyond their origins.
The process is just as rewarding for the faculty and Drexel students involved. “It’s really fun,” said one faculty member. “Seeing them put everything together, piece by piece, and then watching it all come alive – it’s a kind of magic.”
That magic does not just stay in the classroom. Much like the murals that brighten Mantua’s streets, these performances become vibrant reflections of the community – stories of hope, struggle and resilience told through the raw, unfiltered lens of children’s imaginations.
As the final curtain falls, the audience is left with more than a performance. It is a reminder that storytelling is one of our most powerful tools. Sometimes, the voices that leave the most significant impact are the ones we least expect – the ones still discovering their power and just learning how to speak up.