How May We Help You?

Capitol Letters Writing Center works side-by-side with educators to develop programming that is appropriate for their classroom needs and goals. In addition to the stable of tried and tested writing workshops that we offer, we can also tailor a workshop to specific content-area and level that you may have in your classroom.

The Speedy Playwriting workshop, conducted on June 16, 2008, is a perfect example of how specifically we cater to those needs and goals of educators. During this workshop, 10th grade students at Cesar Chavez Public Charter School for Public Policy developed a three-act play in one school day. The play, which made its world premiere to an audience including Capitol Hill staffers, tackles the complex issue of immigration reform, a subject the students were covering in school. Their teachers asked us to help the students see how the subject matter and their opinions could be communicated through writing and dramatic performance. Students began the workshop with a free-writing exercise. They received a photo of a person or scene related to immigration and created background stories for them. These stories served as inspiration for the play they then developed over the rest of the day. In a matter of hours, students invented diverse characters, constructed dialogue, imagined settings, and divined plots that combined their intended message with dramatic flair. Finally, in what was perhaps the most enjoyable part of the day for students and volunteers alike, desks were pushed back and a stage was set for an improvised performance of the masterpiece. As one current 10th grader/future Tony Award winner put it, "It's time for the spotlight!"

If your an interested educator, feel free to fill out this pre-workshop form and email it to our program director to help us understand what kind of programming would be useful and inspiring for your students.