Journal 2 Journey
When Words Become Worlds
Journal 2 Journey (J2J) is a pre-professional, creative youth development program designed to expose youth to the world of devised theater with a focus on Youth Leadership Development, Tiered Mentorship, Artistic Rigor, and Social Justice.
J2J is designed to inspire young artists to imagine the possibilities of writing that expand beyond traditional forms, styles, and genres while providing a platform that celebrates their voices. Previous participants have gone on to pursue successful careers as stage actors, playwrights, and designers.
From Page to Stage
Through an accessible yet thoughtful application process, six youth participants, ages 16 to 20, are selected to participate in a paid 15-week intensive, where they will work collaboratively with professional theater artists to refine their writing skills and devise a professional one-act theatrical production.
J2J youth artists explore themes of the American experience and identity and are invited to bring their lived experiences to the page in a safe, collaborative environment. Upon successful completion of the program, youth artists will receive a stipend and will conclude the program with two live public performances.
Meet the 2026 J2J Cohort
My time at J2J was amazing. My peers were always so supportive of me and helpful during rough times when I felt unwell and demotivated, they always picked me back up and reminded me why I was there. I learned a lot about creating characters and building different worlds within those characters.
— Myleah Solis, J2J Participant, 2024
J2J Alumni Highlights
EN ROUTE
En Route: a heart-opening, interwoven tale of six characters exploring themes of individual purpose, courage, power, and the perception of each other’s humanity as well as our own. Presented by the 2024 Journal 2 Journey cohort, this culminating performance highlights the creative voices of young artists who have transformed their personal narratives into dynamic works of art.
2024 Participants
Fatima Ahmad
Delaney Jocelyn
Myleah Solis
Rix Zioueche
2024 Artist Facilitators
UGBA, Writing Director
Gabriel Ramirez, Writing Coach
Maya Moon, Writing Coach
Katherine George, Theater Director
Kristina Gramlich, Stage Manager
Rebel Verses
Since 2001, REBEL VERSES has been where the next generation of New York City theater artists showcase their unapologetic and unrelenting creativity. A three-evening festival that offers audiences a curated collection of performances by some of the best youth companies and programs in New York City and beyond.
Delaney Jocelyn performing Sterile at the 2025 Rebel Verseses.
2023 Participants
Fatima Ahmad
Lucki Islam
Nia Much
Stephanie Pacheco
Liv Parsons
Ashanti Rawlins
Nickolas Vaccaro
2023 Artist Facilitators
Karl Michael Iglesias, Writing Director, Theater Director
Osh Ashruf, Writing and Theater Coach
Journal 2 Journey at Rebel Verses, 2025
About Urban Word
Urban Word, Founding Program Partner
Urban Word champions youth voice through the transformative power of the written and spoken word, providing platforms for literacy, self-expression, social impact, and leadership through free creative writing, college prep workshops, and performance opportunities. Urban Word provides young, creative voices, often those who are marginalized, the tools, training, and platforms to rewrite the narratives that shape their lives and their communities.
As one of the oldest and most comprehensive youth literary arts organizations in the United States, Urban Word is the founder of the National Youth Poet Laureate Program, a renowned program that celebrates youth for their excellence as writers and their civic engagement.
Urban Word is supported by the National Parks Conservancy in support of the Federal Hall Fellowship Program.
