Covid-19 has affected us all in one way or another. From the simple act of putting on a mask to the devastation of loosing a loved one, this pandemic has ravaged us all. As we take a long-awaited break from masks and start to live a life that seems almost, but not quite normal, let’s take a moment to reflect, commemorate, and honor the struggles and experiences we have all been through.
This 3-part workshop is designed to use the fundamentals of script-writing for theater and theater production to wade through our thoughts, experiences, or stories about Covid.
Participants will begin with a facilitated script-writing workshop led by Christopher Allen Yerkes. Christopher will get participants thinking about the Covid experiences we’ve lived through, read about, heard about, etc and start the script-writing process. Attendees will be given 3 weeks until the next workshop to refine and finish their scripts. At the second script-writing session, writers will workshop their pieces with the rest of the class and edit as needed.
The last piece to this series will be production. Participants will be able to decide if they want to do a staged reading of their script or a small production of their script. Jeffrey Mathews is the producer on this project and will work with each writer to determine a course of action and then help with auditions, props, production elements, etc. and then each piece will debut in front of a live audience in June. Performance location to be determined.
Workshop Itinerary
Script-writing Session 1:
- Work on exposition, inciting incident, rising action, crisis, climax, falling action, and resolution.
- Develop structure, characters, and dialogue.
- Research the story’s topic, theme, and details.
- Work on beats and pauses.
- Read examples of scenes.
- WORD VOMIT: Get it all out on paper and refine later.
- Work with Christopher and ask questions as you develop your story.
Script-writing Session 2:
- Reading each piece aloud with the other students in the class playing the different parts.
- Group conversation about each piece.
Things to Keep In Mind
- Each piece should be under 10 minutes.
- This program is free to participate in, but you MUST be able to make both script-writing sessions.
- You can work with another writer and create one script between the two of you.
- There will be a small budget for props, costumes, set pieces, etc.
- We will help you audition actors if you like or you are welcome to do it on your own.
- PROOF OF VACCINATION WILL BE REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROGRAM!
Dates
- April 7: 5:30-8:30pm at The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes, 79 W. Market St. Corning
- April 28: 5:30-8:30pm at The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes, 79 W. Market St. Corning
- June: Production and Performance (TBD)
