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Spring 2024

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Spring 2024

DateDescriptionFacilitator
April 22Meditation for Writing and RevisionWill Brewer
April 29The Universal in the Particular: Writing and Reading HaikuAustin Smith
May 6PLAYwritingMegan Calfas
May 13Point of ViewJemimah Wei
May 20Storytelling Alchemy: Embodying Imagery, Emotion and Structure to Enchant Live AudiencesDawn J Fraser

Meditation for Writing and Revision

Monday, April 22 with Will Brewer

This workshop will explore how meditation can inform our writing and revising practice. We'll briefly discuss meditation, then do some exercises to explore how meditation can help us better approach the page from a place of instinct, spontaneity, and clarity, while also quieting self-doubt, distraction, and uncertainty. No meditation experience required!

The Universal in the Particular: Writing and Reading Haiku

Monday, April 29 with Austin Smith

“It’s this big!”forming a peony with her arms –A child- Issa

The haiku is one of the most common, and commonly stereotyped, poetic forms. It’s often the first poetic form we encounter. The brevity of haiku might lead us to believe that this form is easily mastered, but learning to write memorable haiku is the practice of a lifetime. What makes good haiku, like the one above by the Japanese haiku poet Kobayashi Issa, so powerful? In this Writers’ Studio, we will discuss some of the misconceptions regarding haiku (for example, that they need to be written in 5/7/5 syllabic form, or contain a seasonal reference in the first line). I’ll share some of my favorite haiku, written by the great Japanese masters of the form, as well as more contemporary haiku by American poets. Once we’ve gotten a sense for what makes good haiku good, we’ll go outside and try our hand at some haiku of our own, then warm up with some tea and share the haiku we’ve created. Whether you’re already a prolific haiku poet, or are simply interested in the form, you’re very welcome to join us.

PLAYwriting

Monday, May 6 with Megan Calfas

Let's bring the play back into playwriting! By mixing tools from improvisational theater with writing exercises, we'll create dramatic scenes with a renewed sense of joy, spontaneity, and self-trust. We'll also explore practices that can help you break through creative blocks and access your flow state while writing. Join us and let your inner child take the reigns for the night! No playwriting experience necessary.

Point of View

Monday, May 13 with Jemimah Wei

Point of view in fiction is a moral choice as much as it is a craft one. In this generative workshop, we’re going to be looking at flash and short stories spanning different point of views, ranging from the first-person plural to the four variations of the second person, and use them as jumping-off points for generating new work, and re-looking ways of thinking and talking about fiction you’ve been working on for a while. Expect to come away with kernels of new stories, and at least one flash piece!

Storytelling Alchemy: Embodying Imagery, Emotion and Structure to Enchant Live Audiences

Monday, May 20 with Dawn J Fraser

Unlock the magic of storytelling alchemy by transforming written words into captivating live performances. In this interactive training, participants will explore the art of embodying their stories, bringing characters to life, editing based on structural considerations, and evoking vivid imagery that sparks the imagination. We will also discover how to tap into the emotional core of one’s narratives, and how to weave themes and subtext from the page onto stages. Participants will have the opportunity to workshop their stories on their feet, with a keen eye on performance aspects such as pacing, rhythm, and dramatic tension. Join us as we take our words and turn them into unforgettable, memorable and magical live performances!