Pulitzer Prize-Winning Playwright Speaks at Penn State
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Quiara Alegria Hudes spoke in a question-and-answer forum in Foster Auditorium at the Paterno Library Tuesday night.
Hudes is a co-author of the play and future movie “In the Heights,” alongside Lin-Manuel Miranda of “Hamilton” and Disney fame. Hudes spoke to students about her time in college as well as what it takes to be successful in a jam-packed broadway scene.
“One of the things my playwright taught me is find your fellow travelers,” Hudes said.
In her undergraduate studies to become a music composer, Hudes said that she used to walk into rooms full of men and think that it was the norm or how it was just supposed to work.
“It took me some time to realize that it’s not supposed to be any way,” Hudes said. “It can be however I want it to be, but I might have to create it to make it happen.”
Noelle Villella, a sophomore nursing major, found Hudes’ talk interesting, considering that Villella usually isn’t into broadway or musicals.
“It was kind of interesting to find out who she was, and it was pretty cool that she worked with Lin,” Villella said. “I had never really heard about her, but I’m definitely interested to learn about her more.”
The event was hosted by the College of Liberal Arts and Hispanic Studies as part of Penn State Hispanic Heritage Month.
Michael Sneff is a digital/print journalism major. To contact him, email mbs5797@psu.edu.
