English 291 - LAKES WRITING WORKSHOP

An intermediate-level workshop in which writers develop their skills through intensive reading, writing, revising, and critique. Emphasis on narrative writing, broadly defined to include a variety of genres, depending on the interests of the current holder of the Lakes writing residency. Topic changes annually.: In this course, students interpret, generate, revise, and embody solo and ensemble performance texts. Rooted in a BeBop, Black Arts, Hip-Hop, Spoken Word or Black Postmodern aesthetic, weekly writing assignments help participants fine-tune self-awareness, artistic voice, stage presence, collaborative agility and interdisciplinary resourcefulness. Students consider works by Whoopi Goldberg, Patricia Smith, Staceyann Chin, Pamela Sneed, Sapphire, Sarah Jones and more. The class culminates in a public presentation of original short performances. Writing sample and permission of the instructor are required.

Topic: Prompt and Circumstance: A Creative Lab for the Performing Writer. Writing Sample Required.