As a writer:

When I was 16 I wrote my first play, “The Gift”, and directed its performance
at my church. I wore the most beautiful purple velvet dress (that I had sewn
myself), and the most handsome and talented boy in my school and church           
said he would love to work with me on any other projects. I was so excited!  :-)
We never did work on projects together, but I again produced the play at an
elementary school where I taught music.  

My plays are based on folktales, and are meant to provide educational value for classroom
teachers or youth leaders. These plays encourage children to think about culture, the
expressions of culture (such as costume, music and masks), and the messages of culture
(kindness, courage, sacrifice).

My goals, as a writer of children’s plays, are to:
  • Use folktales to teach children how humans are similar to each other and how human
    cultures are different from each other;
  • Retell folktales in an original and appropriate fashion, ie: as plays;
  • Seek interaction between storyteller/playwright and audience – via the story,
    production elements, sharing the experience via internet, etc.

To learn more about my writing journey, visit my blog: Inklings.


As a person:

I was born and raised in Wheatridge, a suburb of Denver, Colorado.  Most of my childhood
was spent hiking and fishing in the high country of our beautiful state.  I attended Adams
State College, a small teacher’s college, where I majored in history (my all-time favorite
subject), minored in music, and acquired my teaching certificate.  Later I received my
Masters Degree from Adams State College in Educational Leadership.

I’ve been married since 1976 (the nation’s bi-centennial) and have two terrific kids, two
bossy cats and a princess in dog’s clothing.

Some interesting things I’ve done:
  • Fencing (with swords, not wire cutters)
  • Hosted a radio show, The Children’s Hour, at a public radio station: KRZA 88.7 FM
  • Taught 5 years at a K-12 rural school with 125 students
  • Started a music program at that rural school
  • Acquired over $1,000,000 in grants for my rural mountain community
  • Visited Washington DC, our nation’s capital, four times and once actually saw then
    President Bill Clinton!

Things I enjoy:
  • Long conversations with people where we “save the world”
  • Public speaking (the #1 fear for other people!)
  • Music: with a bell choir, playing my violin in groups, playing my guitar by myself
  • Folk tales, folk music, folk traditions
  • Crochet, embroidery
  • Reading novels: historical romance, historical mystery, some contemporary
  • History (I’m an amateur with Great Theories)
  • Attending plays, musicals, movies


Finally, I secretly hope that someday I can again wear a beautiful purple velvet dress!

I am currently serving my country in the Peace Corps; my husband and I are stationed in
Romania.  Please contact me via email: hollyy@plays4children.com.
Holly Y Folktale Plays: Common Tales From Un-common Folk
Plays for Children to Perform
To contact
Holly Y Folktale Plays:

Address:
Suite 303
1801 3rd Ave. So.
Minneapolis, MN  55403

Phone:
612-236-4065

E-mail:     hollyy@
plays4children.com
Holly Y, Playwright

(Not a singer, she just likes
to play folk songs on her
guitar.  Please don’t try to
book her for a concert.  
You will frighten her!)
About Holly Y
Common Tales From Un-common Folk
Holly Y Folktale Plays is a division of McMitty, llc.  All ideas and elements of this website are copyrighted.