Julia Edwards
Writer – Teacher – Essay Specialist
I am a jack-of-all-trades in the realm of words and story.
I write plays for adults and teens, and novels for tweens. I teach the craft of writing to all ages, from nursery school to college. And I work with high school seniors on those dreaded college essays.
At our core, humans are storytellers. And I am passionate about teaching the power of the proverbial pen.
Education
UC-San Diego
A three-year repertory program that taught playwriting through doing – writing, workshopping, and mounting one full production each year. Also gained experience as a graduate teaching assistant, aiding faculty in playwriting and literature classes.
Brown University
BA - Semiotics
Housed in the Department of Modern Culture and Media, the Semiotics major blended classes in cultural theory, literature, and creative writing. My senior project culminated with workshopping an original play.
MFA - Playwriting
Writing
Plays for Youth
Author of numerous plays for teens, including LOCKDOWN which was commissioned and premiered at South Coast Repertory, A LOSER LIKE YOU which is part of the BULLYING, INK anthology and has been performed in high schools across the country. Plays available through YouthPLAYS.
Plays for Adults
Author of numerous full-length plays, including UNTETHERED which was produced site-specifically at the Mountain View Mausoleum in Altadena, CA.
FAMILY PLANNING, produced by Chalk Repertory Company in LA-residential homes, won the LA-Ovation Award for Best Small Production. THE RATS ARE GETTING BIGGER was workshopped in NYC at The Flea and The Public, and produced at the NYC Fringe Festival.
Children's Lit
Winner of the 2023 LA-SCBWI Sue Alexander Award, I SPEAK FOR THE TREES is a magical middle-grade tale about a budding activist who must learn how to speak for the trees before it's too late. Back-to-back Runner-up and Winner of the LA-SCBWI Sue Alexander Award, ANNO CATTI is a futuristic adventure about a boy with the power to Dreamwalk and the curse of an ancient cat mummy.
Teaching
Pasadena StoryLab
Founder & Teacher
2014-present
I develop and teach individualized curriculum for elementary through high school-age students. I believe that sharing stories from a young age empowers children and prepares them for future success in school and in life.
Founded and produced a professional-quality 250+ page annual literary journal at a K-8 private school. Duties included one-on-one editorial meetings with students, volunteer coordination, book design, InDesign layout, copy editing, and producing a launch event with professional actors.
Talon Tales Literary Journal
Founder & Senior Editor
2011-21
Louisiana State University
Attended my play that was in production and led a one-day playwriting class with undergraduate students.
Guest Teacher
2009
Kaiser Permanente MPOWR Summer Arts Program
Developed curriculum and taught writing class in underserved Los Angeles middle school. Class culminated with a published ‘zine and reading.
Guest Teacher
2011
Orange Coast College
Adjunct Teacher
Developed syllabus for and taught 100-level English Composition classes for freshmen as well as a Creative Writing class (playwriting and screenwriting).
2001-03
Essay Coaching
Scholar Match
As a College Coach with ScholarMatch, a nonprofit that guides low-income youth through the college admissions process, I help students with building a balanced college list, crafting a standout activities list, and brainstorming, writing, and editing the personal and supplemental essays.
826LA
Writing Coach
With 826LA, a nonprofit creative writing and tutoring organization that caters to underserved schools, I participate in annual Personal Statement Day at area high schools and led a one-off creative writing class for Echo Park location.
College Coach
& Essay Specialist
2023-present
2018-present
At Colledge, a Pasadena-area college admissions counseling service, I worked with students on their personal and supplementary essays, including brainstorming, writing, and editing.
2016-17
Essay Specialist
Colledge
Volunteer Coordination
Flintridge Prep School
Serving two consecutive years as Vice President and President of the robust parent volunteer network at a private high school. I oversee the nomination process for volunteers, communicate with the parent body, and work with administration to develop a volunteer handbook.
President & VP,
Prep Volunteer Network
2022-24
Flintridge Prep School
Worked as a grade-level events planner for parent community building at a private high school. Included monthly communications, coordinating volunteers, and interfacing with administration.
Grade-level Coordinator
2021-22
Cottage Co-op Nursery School
Served as Vice President and President of the Board of a cooperative nursery school. Duties included running board meetings, working hand-in-hand with administration, and forwarding the mission of the school.