WINTER THEATER SHOWCASE
Marfa Live Arts in collaboration with Marfa Independent School District presents
WINTER THEATER SHOWCASE
Friday, December 9th, 7pm (doors 6.30pm)
Crowley Theater
Free
Community actors at the Winter Theater Showcase performed award-winning monologues from Marfa Live Arts’ Monologue & Scene workshop held at Marfa Junior High. Everyone was invited to recognize these outstanding students and to see their words brought to life on Friday, December 9th, 7pm at the Crowley Theater.
Taught by El Paso artist Wayne Hilton and Marfa Live Arts director Jennie Lyn Hamilton during Amy Lane’s English classes, students were led through a series of writing exercises that enabled them to create characters and find their own unique inner voice using sense memory, puppets and observation techniques. When Hamilton asked student Dedrick Campos what he liked about the workshop, he replied “It’s got me into my mind, it’s like unlocking all that mind stuff.”
Wayne Hilton explains, “my goal is that students come away this week with a new viewpoint on observing and expressing themselves, that they heighten their sense of place and purpose, and how that manifests in creating their individual monologues. Hopefully, through the experience of the workshop, students will gain confidence in both expressing themselves, and sharing discoveries amongst themselves.” Hilton believes writing and performing arts programs such as these are important, “nurturing creativity benefits everyone, period. The creative process of the mind exercises all aspects of thought development. Programs like this prime the entire brain, not just the pre-conceived, creative, right side. These students will grow and gain skills that will serve them in whatever direction they are poised to grow, regardless of the discipline of their study, "creative" or not.”
The Monologue/Scene workshop teaches students how to write key components of a play in preparation for the high school playwriting workshop that is taught by Marfa Live Arts each spring. In its sixth year, the annual high school playwriting workshop has resulted in over 400 one-act plays written by Marfa students.
Doors for Winter Theater Showcase are at 6:30p, with performance at 7pm on Friday, December 9 at the Crowley Theater. This is a free community event.
Listen to Marfa Public Radio’s interview for West Texas Talk hosted by Elise Pepple. Originally broadcast on December 8, 2016.
Marfa Live Arts and the Winter Theater Showcase is generously supported by the Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation, Kirkpatrick Family Fund , Marfa Education Foundation , and our 2016 Season Sponsors .
In-kind support provided by Hotel Paisano with help from Vicki Barge. Technical support by Rob Crowley. Special thanks to Vicki Barge, Oscar Aguero and Amy Lane of Marfa Independent School District , Peggy O'Brien and Tim Crowley of the Crowley Theater , Elise Pepple of Marfa Public Radio , and Minerva & Delfin Lopez. Graphic design by Melinda Williams.
