THIRD ANNUAL MONOLOGUE & SCENE WORKSHOP
Monday-Friday, December 3-7, 2018
In Association with Marfa ISD
In-school playwriting program with Marfa Junior High students led by Jennie Lyn Hamilton
Marfa Junior High students participated in Marfa Live Arts’ Marfa ISD Monologue & Scene Workshop the week of December 3-7, taught during Ms. Foster’s 7th and 8th grade English classes by Marfa Live Arts Director Jennie Lyn Hamilton. Ten winning scenes and monologues will come to life and be presented by adult actors at the Winter Theater Showcase on Friday, December 7th at 7pm at the Crowley Theater.
The goal of the workshop is for students to learn a new set of skills for observing their environment and expressing their feelings. Exercises will include developing writing skills to heighten and bring attention to using their five senses. These observation techniques will be used for students to find their own voice in communicating their perceptions, problems, place and purpose in their environment. These building tools will enable them to create individual monologues which (a selection of) will be performed on Friday. Hopefully, through the experience, students will gain confidence in both expressing themselves, and in sharing their discoveries.
The Monologue & Scene Workshop serves as a prep course for the high school Playwriting Workshop that is also taught by Marfa Live Arts each spring. In its eighth year, the high school workshop has resulted in over 500 one-act plays written by Marfa students.
The workshop’s primary goal is to meet the need for exposure to performing arts and literary education for the students of Marfa. Research shows that performing arts programs are linked to higher self-esteem among students, as well as improved cognitive, motor and language skills. This experience will allow students to form their own personal ideas and use their imagination to create something special and unique to them. By utilizing their creativity and a “no wrong way” mindset, it enables them to communicate ideas they may not otherwise feel comfortable expressing.
