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Workshops
Date: Saturday, March 16, 2019
Place: East Ridge Middle School
Morning AND Afternoon Workshops
For ALL 3rd, 4th & 5th Graders
1. All About Animals
Do you love animals? Come learn how to use your imagination and sense of humor, along with your observation and research skills, in order to write about animals—from fact to fiction. We’ll check in on the amazing animals of the Galapagos Islands and laugh as we consider what our own pets would say if they could talk. We are all writers with stories to tell, so let’s learn how to be on the lookout for that spark of inspiration from the animal world. From non-fiction alphabet books to funny pictures with captions to stories and poems about our pets, we’ll explore different ways to generate ideas and share our love of animals on a page.
Lisabeth Reddington is a 5th grade science teacher and life-long animal lover and writer. She is currently submitting a couple of manuscripts to publishers, including A-B-See: Animals of Galapagos, and has a middle grade novel in the works. A veteran teacher with 25 years of experience, she thinks kids are awesome and strives to help her students discover their unique potential. She enjoys writing every day and is often inspired by her precious rescue dog, Reilly, who is known for giving “high fives” to everyone she meet.
2. Art Journaling
If your child would benefit from a creative, playful and self-expressive outlet after school, then Art Journaling is for them! Art Journaling is a SPONTANEOUS and IMAGINATIVE way to express oneself through words, visuals and textures. Journals are made from a variety of materials such as composition books, watercolor paper and recycled household items. It is a form of FREE PLAY with art supplies. A lot of children go to their screens to decompress after a long day at school. With Art Journaling, they will be given another tool for RELAXATION and additionally stimulate the imagination. Techniques will be introduced throughout the workshops which will act as springboards for each student’s creativity. THERE ARE NO RULES in Art Journaling. The only requirement is the willingness to play and experiment!
Kathy Coe studied at DuCret School of Art in New Jersey, Pratt Institute and The National Academy of Fine Art and Design in New York. She has won numerous awards for her work. As a teaching artist, many years of instructing students of all ages and abilities has taught her how to create a relaxed and supportive learning environment that is both fun and focused. Teaching affiliations include the The National Academy of Fine Art, NYC, The Naturalist's Notebook, Seal Harbor ME, and The Gilbert and Bennett Cultural Center, Georgetown CT. Her philosophy as a teaching artist is to spark curiosity, encourage exploration, observe with a perceptive eye, and guide with a steady voice.
Diane Fried has been teaching art journaling for the past five years and has enjoyed sharing the creative freedom that art journaling can provide. Journaling solely with words has always been an outlet for her and it was ten years ago when she first tried adding art to her journaling. She is an example that anyone can art journal. No previous art experience is needed. If you love words and if you love art supplies, you'll love art journaling! Diane comes from a performing arts background. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA and has been choreographing and teaching for dance studios and theatre productions for the past thirty years.
3. Art Poetry 101
Are you a poet who loves to draw or an artist who loves to write poems? Either way, you’ll have a blast creating Art Poems! We’ll experiment in a variety of forms, including concrete poetry, collage poetry, found poetry, and 3-D poems. All supplies will be included – except, of course, your imagination!
Barb Jennes is a poet, writer, educator at the Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, and retired Ridgefield English teacher who loves to combine art and writing.
4. Comedy Improv
Technique and performance Improv games are presented for student participation. This sparks creativity and storytelling through brainstorming, exercising mindfulness, being in the moment and being able to focus outside of oneself. With teamwork at its heart, Improv storytelling teaches agreement and results in more confidence in you and with others. AND it’s a blast!!!
Cheryl Ann Boyd “CAB” studied theatre, communications and business in college, and holds an MBA from Webster University. In college, she was in a for children’s improv troupe, “The Pooh Players.” Formerly the Executive Producer on Ridgefield Theater Barn’s Board of Directors, CAB liaised to RTB’s Writer’s Collective, was an original player of RTB’s improv troupe for 10 years, and for 7 years created/developed An Evening of One-Acts, bringing creativity from new, original plays, directors, artists and actors. She has studied improv at The PIT in NYC and The Curious Comedy Theater in Portland, OR. A local singer, CAB performs around Ridgefield with her band, Candlewood, at such places as 850 Wood Fired Restaurant, Piccolo’s, for the ROAR With Laughter Gala, the Great Pumpkin Weigh Off, The Village Tavern, and Sarah’s Wine Bar. She lives in Ridgefield.
Susan Constantino is a Ridgefield resident and a former Improv player with The Second City out of Chicago (from where SNL sprang!).
5. How to research for books and documentaries, and learn about everything from the Pyramids to the CIA
Have you ever thought about all the facts and information that go into books and and documentaries? Before you can write, you have to research. Find out the tricks to learn about almost any subject there is, often without even leaving your house. Caroline Keenan will explain how to delve into anything from the Silk Road to the CIA to modern American History and sometimes, find out things that no one else has.
Caroline Keenan is a researcher and story developer working for authors and filmmakers on all kinds of projects, including the recent bestselling book "The Gatekeepers: How the White House Chiefs of Staff Define Every Presidency" by Chris Whipple. She is currently helping to research a book about the directors of the CIA. Her background is in TV news, and she won an Emmy for co-producing a Diane Sawyer special on poverty in America for 20/20.
6. How to Put On Shorts
Forget Hollywood - you can make a short film with your friends in your own backyard! Learn how to think up a good story, write out the parts and then shoot it. And then you’ll do it - you’ll get to make a short-short film right in this workshop! This is a great opportunity to be the first in your class to shoot a short!
Dave Goldenberg is a writer, filmmaker and musician. “La Toiletta,” his short film for Nickelodeon, won awards and played at film festivals around the world. He also owns The Dave and Eddy Show, an advertising and production company.
7. Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No. It’s a… HERO!
We all know of heroes in comic books, movies and books. I am sure at one point, you may have heard the names “Batman” or “Wonder Woman.” They are definitely super heroes! They have a healthy mix of courage and special powers… but a bigger question is: do all heroes need capes? How about the founder of Ryan’s Well, inspired in kindergarten? Or how about Sacramento Valley High School’s baseball team? Have you ever heard of De’Monte Love? Heroes can be found in our communities, and no they do not need a cape. Some of them walk on four legs and have fur…! Come join this session to learn about heroes who inspire us all to help one another.
Jeanette Moore is an author for Carson Dellosa and Nomad Press. She also makes educational games for Nasco to help students learn math. Jeanette is a certified teacher in multiple states, and runs a tutoring practice in Cross River. Currently, she teaches writing to future elementary teachers at Western Connecticut State University, and uses growth mindset in her practices. She is a Veteran’s Park mama, kickboxer, yoga-enthusiast and proud community member.
8. Kids Writing Reviews: Compliments and Criticisms for Cyberspace
Few of us these days, including kids, decide to buy stuff—toys, games, clothes, food, travel, entertainment-- without checking out the digital marketplace, and in particular, online reviews. We know that when a critical mass of well-written, fair, thoughtful and informed personal feedback is available about an item or service, there is a “group wisdom” effect that benefits every shopper.
In this workshop, students will learn to generate helpful reviews and feedback, both positive and negative. We’ll talk a bit about what it means to be an informed, savvy consumer—how do we evaluate advertising? And do the things we buy live up to the promises of the commercials, banner ads and promotions that inundate us? Then, as a group, we’ll practice writing informative, fair, detailed and useful comments based on real-life scenarios taken from students’ own experiences--and we’ll put them into both online and “old school” letter formats. The students will leave with a template for posting or “snail-mailing” their own individual reviews—once their parents give the OK, of course!
Lisa Rose McCormick is an adjunct professor at Western Connecticut State University, where she specializes in teaching modern-day writing to business majors. A journalism graduate of The Ohio State University, she spent her early career in marketing and advertising, working for blue-chip firms including IBM, Procter & Gamble and Wendy’s. Since then, she’s raised a family and earned an MA in English/Writing from WCSU, and now she’s teaching future business leaders how to communicate. She believes everyone, including Young Writers can (and should) create writing--including “business-y” work like online reviews--that is focused, clear, concise, complete, and just as important, colorful. In her own words, Professor McCormick believes, “The best writing comes from individuals showcasing their own unique voices by calling on their most rich, well-calibrated vocabulary, personal rhythms, specific worldviews and innate wit.”
9. Sports Writing – Bringing the Game to Life
What makes a good sports story? OK - the great story is in front of you, now how do you write about it? In this workshop, George Albano, sportswriter and multi-talented author, will share a few of his assignments through the years. Students will use their reporting skills and imaginations to write crisp, colorful sports stories. They will learn how to write a sports column, employing the elements of persuasion that sports columnists use while expressing their opinions in print. Tell us why A-Rod belongs (or doesn’t belong) in the Hall of Fame. Who’s was better, Michael Jordan or LeBron James? Why is the UConn women’s basketball team so good year after year? Or you can write a fiction short story where you create the characters. You can even make yourself part of the story.
George Albano is a Hall of Fame sports writer and columnist who has written about teams, athletes, coaches and sports people in general in Fairfield County for over four decades. A lifetime Norwalker who developed a passion for sports at the age of 10, he is now in his 44th year with his hometown newspaper The Norwalk Hour. He has also written articles for several other publications, including The Ridgefield Press. He is a past president of the Connecticut Sports Writers Alliance and has been honored with several awards for his work, including three Hall of Fame inductions.
10. Taste & Tell - Foodies Unite!!
Everyone loves to eat - but what really makes someone "a foodie"? Recipes and food preparation videos are all over the internet. You can't start eating something without taking a photo and posting it to Instagram.People travel all over the world to taste exotic cuisines. Let's create and taste some delicious dishes and decide who are the biggest foodies in Ridgefield.
Lara Gorton has been a life-long foodie and restaurant connoisseur. She worked in restaurants throughout college and after a break from her Wall Street career, she recently attended the International Culinary Center's Italian Culinary Experience with professional food service training in New York and Parma, Italy. The program was a comprehensive study of the food, wine and culture of each region in Italy culminating in an internship at a Michelin recognized restaurant. Lara worked as the primi chef at La Falconiere restaurant in Cortona, Tuscany preparing all the homemade pastas at the restaurant. As a result, Lara has developed a passion for all aspects of Italian food and an enduring appreciation for la dolce vita.
11. The Super Songwriting Challenge
Some songwriters take days or even weeks to write a song. Not us! In this fun, fast paced workshop we will write and record a complete, awesome new song. Along the way we will learn the essential building blocks of a songwriter’s toolkit including form, major/minor keys, genre, mood & vibe, chord progressions, hooks, lyric writing and more. Buckle up—we’re going for a ride!
Noah Manheimer produces music & video and teaches guitar, songwriting and audio production, and is director of the Enchanted Garden Conservatory here in Ridgefield. His production credits include Howard Alden, Debbie Gravitte, Alash, Red Rooster, Sita’s Light, Portal Jazz Quartet, Anat Cohen, Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra, and many more. Mr Manheimer holds an MA in Music Composition from Goddard College.
12. The Write Stuff: How to Create Great Stories
A great story is a magical combination of character, plot, and setting. In this workshop, we’ll talk about what makes a story work and then invent some of our own stories. Participants will get to share their work at the end.
Chris Belden is the author of two novels, Shriver (2015) and Carry-on (2012), as well as the story collection The Floating Lady of Lake Tawaba (2014). He has an MFA in creative writing from Fairfield University, and has taught writing at Fairfield U., the Westport Writers Workshop, and such nontraditional venues as senior centers, soup kitchens, and a maximum security prison.
To learn more about Chris please visit his website at www.chrisbelden.com.
13. What Do You Want?
In many stories, the main character wants something DESPERATELY. It could be a billion dollars. Or a golden retriever puppy. Or a friend. But he or she can’t get it. Something stands in the way. A story is all about that character trying to get what she wants. Will he succeed? Let’s write it and find out! Using this concept, in this fun and interactive workshop, we will create a story together and act it out.
Christine Pakkala is the author of the Last-but-not-least Lola series and of Jasmine and Maddie, a novel about two girls who have nothing in common but become friends. She lives in Westport, CT, and teaches at the Westport Writers’ Workshop.
14. What’s So Funny About That?
Humor writing can be a lot of fun, once you learn how to take it seriously. Yes, that might sound strange—but so does “blegkadarooroo” if you try to pronounce it. There really are rules to learn about humor writing. For example, what counts most is…kindness (it’s never okay to make jokes that hurt other people’s feelings). We’ll spend time working on ways to make our readers laugh with poetry, silly songs, funny stories and more.
Alan Katz is the author of more than 30 highly acclaimed children’s books. He has written nine Silly Dilly Songbooks including Take Me Out of the Bathtub, plus poetry books OOPS! and Poems I Wrote When No One Was Looking, and chapter books The Day the Mustache Took Over, and The Day the Mustache Came Back.
Alan is also a six-time Emmy-nominated writer for TV series; he’s written for shows including The Rosie O’Donnell Show, animated series Pinkalicious, Taz-Mania and Goof Troop, various Nickelodeon shows, and a lot of network specials and game shows. He has also created comic books, trading card sets, web videos, TV commercials and hundreds of other special projects for kids and their parents.
Find out more about Alan Katz by visiting his website www.Alankatzbooks.com
15. What's Your Point? Of view, that is...
Perhaps you're looking at feet on the sidewalk from the inside of a basement apartment or you're a dog waiting for your master to come home. It's so much fun thinking about the point of view you're writing your story from! In this workshop, we'll brainstorm ideas for how you can write a short fiction or non-fiction piece from a fantastic point of view. Come prepared to use your point-of-view imagination!
Anita Bushell grew up in Manhattan but moved to Brooklyn when she discovered trees grow there. She also bought a row house and then found out what homeownership was reallyabout (she should have stayed in an apartment). In spare time she did not have she managed to get an M.A. in English Literature from City College and an M.S. in Early Childhood Education from Brooklyn College. She is a freelance writer and educator who is a faculty member at the Service Learning Project and a substitute teacher at Brooklyn Friends School.
Find out more about Anita by visiting her webpage http://www.anitabushell.com/contact/
16. Writing a Monologue!
Do you ever wonder what your cat would say to her bowl of food? Or what an alien might say to cheer himself up when he's feeling down? Or what the Queen of England might say to your teacher in school? In this class, you'll learn all about character voice by writing monologues for your very own new characters!
Kate Herzlin is a playwright, screenwriter and humor writer who was honored to have her musical, co-written with Ben Kapilow, Peter Pan and Wendy: The Neverland Takeover produced at the extraordinary ACT of CT in Ridgefield! Peter Pan and Wendy was previously produced at The Media Theatre, where it won BroadwayWorld Philadelphia's award for "Best New Work". Her previously developed plays include Breaking News (Philadelphia Fringe), The Kelly Writers Home Project (Kerry Prize Grant Winner, University of Pennsylvania), Princess (Penn Plays Fellowship, Blank Theatre YPF), The Ends of the Earth (Blank Theatre YPF), Wife and Her Fisherman (Barefoot Theatre, YPI, and Blank Theatre YPF) and A Poem by Joshua Feinberg (starring Chris Pine, Blank Theatre YPF). Kate previously worked as Musical Theater Fellow at Playwrights Horizons, and has studied with UCB, Second City, and The PIT. Kate is the Director of Development at Michael & Meredith Bergmann's film and art production company, Burgeon & Flourish, LLC, here in Ridgefield, Connecticut. Kate loves the way that writing characters can help you discover new worlds while helping you understand your own world even more!
17. Writing and Producing TV News
Do you want to learn what it’s like to work in TV news? Go behind the scenes of the exciting world of TV news production with Tom Rotunno. He’ll take you through the daily routine in a TV newsroom: How stories are selected and written and how your storytelling style changes depending on the type of newscast or stories you’re putting together (breaking news, local/national newscast, sports news or documentaries). He’ll also give you tips on how to do a great interview to get your viewers/readers the best information. At the end of the session you’ll be asked to put together stories for a sample newscast of your own!
Tom Rotunno is an Emmy-award winning member of the senior leadership team at CNBC television, the worldwide leader in business news. He’s also a longtime contributor and writer for CNBC.com with an emphasis on the beverage business. Over the course of 15+ years he’s produced live newscasts, documentaries and coverage of special events including Summer and Winter Olympics, Super Bowl, World Series, NBA Finals and The Masters golf tournament. He’s also produced interviews with top-level CEOs, entrepreneurs and superstar athletes, including Donald Trump, Tom Brady and Michael Jordan.
18. Writing from Art and Images
Inspiration is all around us, but it takes habit, practice, and skill in order to recognize that inspiration and turn it into art! This workshop will use paintings, photographs, and other images as inspiration for writing prompts, and as springboards to creativity. We will practice "reading" an image in order to hear--and, ultimately, write--the story, emotion, or idea it can potentially convey. This interactive workshop will involve writing and sharing new work in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, drama, or any genre you feel pulled towards, with the goal of developing a healthy habit of finding and pursuing inspiration from the images we see in our daily lives.
Ioanna Opidee is the author of the novel Waking Slow (2018) and an English teacher at Weston High School. Her work has been published in several magazines and literary journals including The Huffington Post, Lumina, and Talking Writing, among others. Currently residing in Newtown with her husband and two daughters, she has also worked as a freelance journalist and as an adjunct professor of writing at Fairfield University.
You can learn more about Ioanna by going to her blog at www.ioannaopidee.com.
19. Writing Picture Books for Kids
In this workshop, you will learn the dos and don'ts of writing picture books for kids. We will look at some bestselling picture books and discuss how the publishing process works. You will learn how words and illustrations work together to form a finished book. We will discuss what publishers look for in picture book texts. We will talk about writing text to go with illustrations, and ways to create your own illustrations (even if you’re not an artist!). Then, you’ll brainstorm opening lines, characters, and conflicts and begin working on your very own picture book. This is your chance to get an insider’s look into children’s publishing and write your first picture book!
Suzanne Nelson is the author of Serendipity’s Footsteps, a Sydney Taylor Honor Book, as well as Cake Pop Crush, Macarons at Midnight, Hot Cocoa Hearts, and many other middle grade and young adult novels. She is a contributor to The Washington Post “On Parenting” blog and a former children’s book editor. She lives and writes in Ridgefield, Connecticut. She is a lover of words and has always been amazed at the power they have to change people’s lives. As a child, she discovered that reading was a magical escape, and now she writes to give other children a little of that magic of their own.
The link to Suzanne's author website is www.suzannenelson.com. Students can also follow her on Instagram @suzannenelsonbooks or Facebook @suzannenelsonbooks.
Morning Workshops ONLY
Available To 4th & 5th Grade Morning Sessions
20. From Page to Stage – an Intro to Playwriting
Description of Workshop: A play is a blueprint for a stage production. Only when performed by actors will your words on the page truly begin to take shape. In this workshop, we will explore the fundamentals of playwriting by learning about a play’s building blocks and jumping into writing exercises that let you immediately try your hand at creating a scene to be performed in front of your fellow playwrights. Each student will write his or her own one-minute play using the elements of dramatic writing: plot, character, dialogue, and conflict, and will get feedback from fellow students on ideas for further development.
Michael Alltop worked for nearly two decades in professional theater, including as the Producing Artistic Director of an award-winning company in Philadelphia, and as the Associate Artistic Director of Theatreworks/USA in New York City. In addition to working on adaptations for the stage, Alltop’s original theatrical works have been produced in New York, Philadelphia, and Syracuse. Other favorite projects include two years of directing the 4th and 5th grade musical for Veterans Park Elementary School, writing and directing Christmas pageants, and teaching middle school English in Danbury. He holds an M.F.A. in directing from Syracuse University and is a Drama League Directing Fellow and member of the Lincoln Center Directors Lab.
21. The Wonderful World of Magazines
Learn how to create a magazine story that people want to read. We’ll talk about point of view, a good introduction, and how to edit your story to a certain word count. We’ll write our own stories about Ridgefield.
Julia Bruce is a freelance writer for Ridgefield and Wilton Magazine. She has a BA from Fairfield University (English). She has also taught in the Ridgefield school system and chaired the Young Writer’s Conference for two years. She lives in Ridgefield with her husband, two children and rescue dog Gracie.
22. Using Visualization as a Writing Tool
Drawing to inspire writing, collaborating on creative ideas, using imagination
Jessica Haight is a true New Englander, with a deep desire to be near the ocean and a love of the four seasons. She enjoys drawing while standing up and cultivating magic in her garden. She easily floats away in the pages of a good story and is still waiting for her owl from Hogwarts. Jessica lives in New Fairfield, Connecticut with her family.
Stephanie Robinson lives with her husband in a quiet town, though not as quaint as Ashpot. After teaching fifth grade for over fifteen years, she is now enjoying her role as a school media specialist. One of the many benefits of her job is that she learns something new every day. When Stephanie isn't working, she spends her time creating stories, getting lost in books, and traveling to new places.
Find out more about the series at https://www.fairdaysfiles.com & https://thesecretdmsfilesoffairdaymorrow.blogspot.com.
Upcoming Events
- Friday, May 3
- Friday, May 17
- Friday, June 7
