The Playwrights Alliance of Pennsylvania, or PAPA, for short, was spear-headed by the late Marjorie Bicknell and incorporated on June 20, 2008. Shortly after incorporation, the group began to hold regular meetings to read each other’s work and give feedback for improvement. To this end, the group has a mentoring chair to give feedback to what is read, in addition to the observations of the other writers. Further development has come in the form of workshops and encouraging members to join the Dramatists Guild of America. 

For many years, PAPA has been invited to provide an evening of theatrical entertainment in Mt. Gretna, a Lebanon County Chautauqua community known for arts and culture.
Playwrights bring short plays to be staged as readings in Gretna’s Philosophy Hall as part of the Cicada Festival in late-August. The event showcases not only the talent of local playwrights but also the talent of many local actors.

Over the years, relationships with many local theatres, houses of worship, and residential communities have led to opportunities for many playwrights in southcentral Pennsylvania to have their work produced in staged readings and full productions in Cumberland, Dauphin, and Lebanon Counties.