PROGRAMS AT WORDPLAY

MONDAYS, 4:00-5:30 PM  

AGES 9-12

In this personal storytelling workshop, students will learn how to tell compelling true stories using techniques like vivid imagery, convincing characters, dialogue, and voice. Teaching artist Natalie Villacorta guides the process of writing poetry and other literary forms to encourage students to reflect on their personal experiences and craft a vibrant future-story. This class also integrates visual arts, including activities like self-portrait making. Students engage in multiple art forms as they explore their most potent stories and the ways in which they'd like to grow into their future selves.

THURSDAYS, 4:00-5:30 PM  

AGES 13+

In this 12-week writers circle, seasoned writing "masters" will work with student "apprentices" on multi-genre creative writing guided by each student's individual interests. This program is a great place for experienced and new writers alike to explore creative writing of all kinds—poetry, stories, sci-fi, fantasy— anything goes. Sharing is always optional. Come experiment and play with writing without grades or judgments! Led by WordPlay teaching artist Elaine Olund and program assistant Yasmin Payne. 

TUESDAYS, 4:00-5:30 PM

AGES 13+

Join us for an exploration of playwriting! Facilitated by the amazing Simone Yael, this class serves as an open and safe space for young writers to practice imagination and create worlds for their characters. Over the course of this program, students learn the art of dialogue through both play and screenwriting structure. At the end of 12 weeks, they will have completed a piece to be revised and further developed, with the chance to submit their work to festivals.

SATURDAYS, 10:00-11:00 AM  

AGES 5-9

Come explore the wonderful world of puppet-making with the magical Terrence Burke! Children will be introduced to the magic of puppetry as a storytelling method to create and perform their own short puppet performance. The workshop explores the rich history of puppetry through videos and puppets from around the world. Each child will build their own hand puppet to use during the workshop, and bring home after the final performance. This session, young puppeteers will also have the opportunity to learn the art of Shadow Puppetry as well! 

WEDNESDAYS, 4:00-5:30 PM  

AGES 10+

Storytelling is so much more than just words on a page. Students in this class will learn to create long-form comics while exploring the diversity of comic genres that exist. They will learn skills like character development, dialogue, color theory and more! After mapping out a narrative using the art of illustration, students will end this 12-week workshop with a completed comic book. Led by WordPlay teaching artist Anjali Alm-Basu.

SATURDAYS, 1:00-3:00 PM  

AGES 13+

One of WordPlay's longest-running programs, Scribes is a spoken-word poetry group for teens. Participants are not required to perform, though they have many opportunities to share their poetry in public showcases, festivals, and events across the city. Along with bi-monthly open mic nights, each year Scribes participate in the citywide spoken-word poetry competition Louder Than A Bomb. Led by Desirae "The Silent Poet" Hosley, Poet-In-Residence Yalie Kamara, and several amazing guest teachers.