Play it back: Alumna reconnects with St. Mary’s on stage

While Virginia Reed Murphy ‘87 has lived coast-to-coast and abroad, Memphis will always be home. Since returning to the city about 20 years ago, she and her family have invested in the community through the power of storytelling. 

Virginia and her husband of 22 years, Joe, moved to Memphis as they were starting a family. Today, they are the proud parents of two sons, Harlan and Abel. The couple met in New York City, where they performed Playback Theatre together - an interactive form of improvisational theater that transforms audience members’ personal stories into live performances. Virginia holds a master's degree in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Drama Therapy. She was introduced to Playback Theatre during her time at the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco, California.

In a Playback Theatre performance, audience members are invited to share a meaningful experience. Guided by a facilitator/ conductor, actors and musicians immediately interpret that story on stage through movement, music, and dialogue. The intimate format creates a safe, creative space where participants can witness their own experiences reflected back with empathy, often gaining new insight and a deeper sense of connection.

Inspired by the transformative power of Playback, Virginia founded Playback Memphis in 2008, which was rebranded as Everystory in 2025. She currently serves as Founder and Director of Advancement and Partnerships, having shifted out of the Executive Director role.

“Our stories have the power to remind us that what binds us together in our humanity is greater than what divides us,” explains Virginia. “ Creating space for sharing, witnessing, and embodying personal stories is deeply nourishing and builds individual and community resilience, especially in times when there is so much social isolation and fragmentation,” explains Virginia.

Building trust, prioritizing inclusion and belonging, and honoring connection are a few of the foundational principles of playback theater, which happen to align with St. Mary’s core community values. 

When the Murphys moved to Memphis, it was clear playback theater was an impactful part of their lives and a way they wanted to contribute meaningfully to the city.

Early on, Everstory partnered with first responders and programs for incarcerated individuals re-entering society. Now its reach has expanded, concentrated on connecting with schools, especially students, teachers, and staff. It also offers professional development sessions with businesses and other organizations.

“We want to be a resource for schools that are aspiring to grow young people’s capacity for resilience, empathy, and compassionate communication,” Virginia said. “There are a lot of ways to engage and connect with us.”

Her work in playback theater and storytelling brought her to realize the impact of classes, teachers, and experiences at St. Mary’s years after graduating. 

“I was a student who needed stories in a way to anchor me in what I was learning,” Virginia said. “I remember my English teacher, Mrs. Lois Strock’s deep encouragement of me in creative writing, a space and place where I felt I was being seen for my gifts and my emotional intelligence, and capacity to perceive and write about others’ feelings. It was life-changing for me to be seen in my strengths, in this way.”

Virginia also recalled the life-transforming influence of St. Mary's legendary history teacher, Mrs. Sheila Patrick, who was not afraid to call out students who were insensitive to others' experiences. For Virginia, Mrs. Patrick was the first adult to model a profound level of fierce empathy, accountability, and vulnerability. Her example of compassion deeply resonated with Virginia, teaching her what it looks like to honor complex human experiences and emotion.

In building Everystory, Virginia has been grateful for the investment and support of SMS friends and graduates, Meggan Wurzburg  Kiel ’96 and Fontaine Taylor Albritton ’87, both of whom have served in vital board leadership positions. Meggan currently serves as board chair.

“When I left St. Mary’s, I took with me a community and spirit of growth that truly matters. It’s wonderful to work together with SMS friends to help build a more peaceful, connected Memphis through the power of storytelling with Everystory,” she said.

Those ties back to St. Mary’s grew tighter this past April when Everystory worked with Upper School students over four sessions. Virginia said the girls warmed up to the experience, sharing personal stories that ranged from moving to lighthearted. 

The experience was memorable and was received well by the students. “Watching our students engage in Everystory was remarkable. They experienced what it feels like to have their stories - some lighthearted and others more profound - honored while learning to witness others' experiences with openness and compassion. Those shared moments built understanding in ways that are often difficult to create in a traditional classroom,” said Amy Poag, St. Mary’s Director of Counseling.

“It was really lovely working with St. Mary’s,” Virginia said. “To be so warmly embraced and supported, and to see the deep care they have for making sure students feel seen, heard, valued, and cared for was inspiring.”

After 18 years of living and leading transformative healing work through Everystory, Murphy will transition out of the organization this fall to focus on acquiring her licensure in professional counseling. She will continue to be an advocate and resource for Everystory both on and off the stage. In her next act, she’s excited to be joining the counseling staff at the Memphis Center for Mindful Living this fall.