Writing for Performance

March 22 - April 12, 2010, Mondays 7-10pm

$100 for 4 workshops

Research has shown that public speaking is the #1 fear. The 2nd is death.  This concludes that one would prefer to be in the casket at a funeral than delivering a eulogy… Jokes aside, people are truly fearful of presenting for the public. However, this does not negate the fact that there is a little performer in all of us; one who desires to creatively express, entertain, amuse, stir emotions or stir others to action.

D'Lo has been teaching creative workshops for over a decade and has created a series of workshops for writers, poets, actors and performance artists, and those who think they are not artistic! The workshops are geared to cultivate an appreciation of the arts, tackle writing or creative blocks, develop skills in public speaking and performing, and nurture environments for artists to listen, give and receive constructive feedback.

D'Lo provides several exercises that encourage creative writing with a focus on personal memories and how they can be used in artistic discoveries. D'Lo also guides participants in D's trademark "out of body" exercises to free folks from the pressure of deciding "what" to write about. These exercises are intended to stimulate the imagination and create and harness moments of inspiration for personal and artistic development. This particular workshop offers techniques in battling writer's block and stage fright, and stimulates the creative joys of imaginatively crafting personal herstories/histories.

Queer Masculinity Workshop

March 23-April 13, 2010, Tuesdays 7-10pm

$100 for 4 workshops

D'Lo has created this workshop geared specifically for masculine identified women (stud, ag, butch) and transgender/boi/ftm's. The workshop revolves around gender presentation, female masculinity, butch/femme dichotomy, reactions and adoption and adaptation to heterosexuality and hetero masculinity and other breakdowns within gender and sexual orientation.  Time will be allotted and structured for solely writing, but a large chunk of time will be set aside to only work on theater arts and readings for the stage.

This workshop focuses on finding a creative voice through writing and ways to enhance the written words through performance. Participants will engage in exercises that allow experimentations in writing, reading and performing work, analyzing and adapting to the challenges of different venues, connecting with audiences, and techniques to strengthen and prepare the body and voice for performance.

Brava has offered development support for D'Lo's play "Boys That Pray" and this workshop is part of this development. Non-Actors also encouraged to apply.