By Philadelphia Young Playwrights

“Most girls’ boy problems consist of them having to choose between two guys or something like that. I have to choose between a guy and my religion.”

Each spring, Young Playwrights partners with InterAct Theatre Company to produce the Young Voices Monologue Festival, featuring the work of talented high school students in the City of Philadelphia. A collection of vibrant and diverse perspectives, Young Voices taps into the energy of what it means to be a young person in our city today, now, in this very moment. With subjects ranging from college admission, young love, and neglectful parents to gender identity, abuse, and the state of the city at large, Young Voices honors the experiences, challenges, and triumphs of young people from throughout Philadelphia, placing their voices center stage for audiences from around the region to experience firsthand.

This year’s Festival was no different. Samira Duwan, a junior at the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts, wrote a monologue about her personal experiences as a young Muslim woman in love. “I was going through that struggle at the time, and I just decided to write about it.”

With the help of the Knight Foundation, we want our Young Voices to start a national conversation. Check out the video about Samira’s experience, and then watch “Love-Trouble” in action at the 2015 Young Voices Monologue Festival.

What do you think? Have you ever faced a decision between your beliefs and your desires? Tell us!