2016 Workshops
The Improv of Crafting
Jill Connolly
There's something powerful in creating an item from raw materials. Even as a kid you can feel it: sitting down surrounded by Popsicle sticks, glue, markers and paper, ready to make a gift for a parent. Many people today have continued to fashion something personal to share with others. In this workshop, Jill Connolly approaches crafting through the lens of pop culture. Come learn how to make your own pop culture magnet or t-shirt.
The Fundamentals of Drawing
Ethan Grosso
The ability to draw is often treated as a gift or talent that some are born with and some weren't, but in truth drawing is a skill built through practice. While it is impossible to entirely build such a skill in our time together, our goal will be to cover basic artistic techniques and concepts as they apply to drawing. We will be drawing from still life with charcoal; be aware that charcoal can be messy and sometimes difficult to get out of clothing.
Our Own Poetry
Paul Riley
Stanzas, meter, rhyme - so much of our experience with poetry has been analyzing its literary elements. But poetry isn’t defined by a rubric. It’s one of the most intimate forms of communication we have. When we read poems, we are listening to the poet whisper into our ear their attempt to explain existence. In this workshop, we’ll toss out the Hallmark elements of poetry and discover what is possible with carefully selected words and line breaks. We’ll draft our own poems and - if you want - workshop them. All supplied will be provided.
Beginning Swing for Cats and Kittens
Ethan Grosso
Popular in the '30's and 40's, Swing music and dance have had a resurgence in popularity across the country, with a multitude of events here in the Boston area. The aim of this workshop is to teach basic steps and beginner-friendly moves to people with little to no prior experience with swing dance. The focus will be on the style known as East Coast Swing; if there is time, the lesson could also include introductions to Lindy Hop and/or Charleston. Bringing a partner is not required, people will be paired up and rotate partners multiple times. Footwear should be shoes and flats, avoiding items like heavy boots or flip flops.
Write What You Know: Fiction Writing
James Riley
If you give enough monkeys enough typewriters and enough time, they will eventually produce Shakespeare, or so they say. We have about an hour and a half and just one of you, but we aren’t looking for Shakespeare. We are looking for something better, your story. Writing can be an intimidating experience but with a little bit of effort and practice everyone can write well. In this workshop we will focus on a few exercises to get the basics down of fiction writing. We will be writing and sharing work with each other as well as providing feedback in a round-table setting.
The Craft of Improv
Dave Dutilley
Improv has a lot to teach us about life: each of us, working together, can add something to a scene that brings joy to the faces of others. In this workshop, Dave will teach you some basic improv games then let you and your team dive into the fun! Each team (at least three people) will have time to perform an improv routine in front of the other, trading back and forth as you hone your skills. You’ll be able to perform again for everyone later in the evening if you want. We encourage everyone to consider this - not just the actors and extroverts!
Changing the Game: Game Design in a Post-Eurogame World
James Riley
Everyone plays games, but not everyone plays the same games. In this workshop we will be learning about the different types of tabletop, parlour, board, and card games. We will have an open time to come up with our own games in groups, or solo, and playtest them with each other to refine their designs, with an acute awareness for audience. Along the way, we will look what makes a game a game and try to answer the impossible question: What makes something fun?
