SUMMER 2009 WORKSHOPS
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Registration is required. To register for a workshop, click its “Sign Up” link. All workshops will be held at 826michigan unless specified otherwise.
Things to know about the Summer 2009 Workshop Schedule:
- Each student can only sign up for TWO workshops per semester.
- Yes, we are strict on ages.
- Workshops are so stellar, so spectacular, so amazing that they fill up quickly. Please give us at least 48 hours to confirm your registration. If after 48 hours you haven't heard from us, feel free to call or send an email.
- A sad reminder: the fact that you have filled out the registration form does not mean that you are "in" the workshop until you get a confirmation email from us. Remember all that stuff about how quickly workshops fill up? Sometimes they fill up while we are looking the other way, and we are unable to immediately change the status to "waitlist." (See #3.)
- When you get your confirmation email, write down the workshops you have gotten into on your calendar! It makes us feel sadder than almost anything when students sign up for workshops and then don't show.
- We love feedback! Let us know what you think of the schedule. Send an email to amy@826michigan.org to let us know what’s working for you and what isn’t!
Volunteers: If you would like to volunteer to help with a workshop, click on that workshop’s “Sign Up” link and then follow the “Volunteer” link in the yellow box on the upper right side of the page.
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Drop-in Writing Time!
Taught by 826michigan volunteers & interns
All ages!
Mondays and Wednesdays, 6-7pm, starting June 22, 2009, running through August 5 (no session on July 15)
This workshop is a drop-in program, so no pre-registration is necessary: just come whenever you can!
Writing is not all five-paragraph essays! Writing can just be a good way to express your creativity and pass time. In this ongoing, drop-in program, we invite you to join our mad scientists every week to sharpen your creativity and skill with a variety of fun, informal writing exercises, including exquisite corpses, story starters, and a healthy dose of hilarity.
Screenwriting Workshop: or How I Learned to Stop Waiting and Write a Screenplay
Taught by John Duffy & Dani Gonzales
Ages 14-18, 10 students
Tuesdays: July 7, 14, and 21, 2009 (three sessions): 5-7pm
Everyone has had a million dollar idea for a movie! In this workshop, you can learn how to turn that idea into a real, living screenplay! Explore the art of writing for the screen and learn the basics of formatting, three-act structure, character formulation, and story development for any genre. Create your own world, fill it with wacky characters, and send them on an epic journey where anything goes in this stellar workshop.
John Duffy likes to write. He considers himself good at it, regardless of what the publishing world and people who have read his work think. He finds writing bios about himself difficult, because he wants to be funny, but is scared that people will not understand his humor, and will end up offended somehow. John is a pretty nice fellow though, and he has all of his shots.
Dani Gonzales has loved filmmaking since she was old enough to press record on a video camera. She graduated this year from the University of Michigan’s Screen Arts and Culture program where she wrote a feature length film, and starred in, produced, and directed photography for many short films. She really likes wearing cowboy boots, would like to own an English Bulldog someday, and wouldn’t mind if people traded in their cars and rode dinosaurs instead.
Cards with Colby
Taught by Mary Roderique
Ages 6-9 (Entering K-3), 15 students
Thursday, July 9, 2009 (one session): 6-7:30pm
Dogs brighten our lives—and so does mail. Come write an old-fashioned pen-and-paper letter. Colby the Service Dog, also known as 826michigan’s Volunteer of the Month for May 2009, is ready to help. Be sure to pack an address or two so you can send your letter or card at the workshop. Colby will bring the stamps. We will drop our mail into the mailboxes at the Post Office on Liberty at the end of the workshop.
After working as a classroom teacher in New York City and Bloomington, IN, Mary Roderique moved to Ann Arbor for the desirable weather conditions. She works as a Writing Workshop Consultant for teachers in Michigan and Indiana and also works with Colby the Service Dog to lead a Canine Assistants’ National Volunteer program, Noah’s Team of Ann Arbor. Mary, her husband Blaine, son Francis, daughter Claudia, and the ever-charming Princess Coco-bean enjoy snowshoeing and Thai cuisine—though not at the same time. When not thinking about 826 workshops, Mary can be found supporting local cupcake establishments.
Colby is the best dog, ever, hands down. And no, you can’t have her.
The Secrets of Paper Engineering and Pop-ups
Taught by Matt Shlian
Ages 11-14, 15 students
Saturday, July 11, 2009 (one session): 10am-12pm
In this workshop, we’ll explore all things pop-up. We’ll cover basic pop-up techniques, mechanisms, and folds which are the building blocks of moveable cards and pop-up structures. The various elements, such as the V-pop, Strut Fold, and Tent Pop, not only sound cool, they are the basic elements from which your creativity can, quite literally, explode! We’ll take what we’ve learned and make mind blowing pop-up cards for our loved ones.
Matthew Shlian received his BFA from Alfred University in 2002, and his MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art in 2006. Currently he is working with scientists as a visiting research scholar at the University of Michigan and teaching at the School of Art and Design in Ann Arbor. His work can be seen in stores around the country and galleries all over the world.
Puppy Puppet Poem Performances
Taught by Mary Roderique
Ages 6-9 (Entering K-3), 15 students
Tuesday, July 21, 2009 (one session): 6-7:30pm
Do you like poems? Do you like puppets? Do you like puppies? Do you like performing poems you write with puppets for a puppy audience? Well, then this is the workshop for you! We’ll write poems, make stick puppets, pet Colby the Service Dog, and perform our poems in a Poetry Puppet Show! Parents are invited to come 20 minutes early to watch.
After working as a classroom teacher in New York City and Bloomington, IN, Mary Roderique moved to Ann Arbor for the desirable weather conditions. She works as a Writing Workshop Consultant for teachers in Michigan and Indiana and also works with Colby the Service Dog to lead a Canine Assistants’ National Volunteer program, Noah’s Team of Ann Arbor. Mary, her husband Blaine, son Francis, daughter Claudia, and the ever-charming Princess Coco-bean enjoy snowshoeing and Thai cuisine—though not at the same time. When not thinking about 826 workshops, Mary can be found supporting local cupcake establishments.
Colby is the best dog, ever, hands down. And no, you can’t have her.
Verrrrrrrry Epistolary!!!
Taught by Rachel Feder & Sheera Talpaz
Ages 11-14, 15 students
Thursdays: July 23, 30, August 6, 2009 (three sessions): 6-7:30pm
The Great Poet William Carlos Williams (WHO names their kid William Williams?!?) wrote that “In summer, the song sings itself.” It’s super true! When the weather gets warm, the earth speaks to us with flowers and fat squirrels and bicycles and barbecues. In this poetry workshop, we’ll talk back using a form called the ‘epistolary’ poem—a poem written like a letter or a series of letters. Say WHAT?!?!
Rachel Feder has exactly seven favorite things in the whole entire world, and two of them are 826michigan and Sheera Talpaz.
Sheera Talpaz studied literature at the University of Chicago and is just finished her MFA in Poetry at the University of Michigan.
Michigan Science Theater 826
Taught by Chris Hiltz
Ages 8-10, 10 students
Friday, July 24, 2009 (one session): 6-8pm
Don’t be fooled by the title of the workshop: it is NOT about science! You may not be old enough to remember the shows Mystery Science Theater 3000 or Who’s Line is it Anyway?, but you’re certainly old enough to appreciate a workshop based on those shows.
In this workshop, we’ll watch various and unique five to ten minute scenes from obscure sci-fi/robot movies without the sound. We’ll then split into teams and record the soundtracks to the scenes, including everything from dialogue to sound effects. At the end of the workshop, we’ll perform and videotape our newfound masterpieces, and post them on the 826michigan website!
Chris Hiltz is very tall, very funny, and looking for work. On Thursday afternoons you can find him working his shift in the Liberty Street Robot Supply & Repair.
Why Write?: Young Writers on Writing (11am session)
Taught by Jennifer Guerra and Brian Short
Ages 8-11, 10 students
Saturday, July 25 (one session): 11-11:45am
Do you like to write? Why? What advice do you have for other writers? What's a great piece of advice you've heard from someone else? What do you do when you can't write? What do you write FOR?
We know what you're thinking: SO MANY QUESTIONS. Do you have SO MANY ANSWERS? Then sign up for this workshop and let your voice be heard! In this workshop, we'll talk about what we like and don't like about writing and why. THEN Michigan Radio's Jennifer Guerra is going to turn it into an awesome podcast for the National Day of Writing, which will be posted on our website AND in the National Gallery of Writing on the National Council of Teachers of English website. That's quite a mouthful!
After graduating from the University of Michigan, Jennifer Guerra headed to New York for a life in the theatre. Two years later, she traded in her tap shoes for a pair of headphones and a digital recorder, and began her career in public radio. While in New York, Jennifer earned her Master's in Broadcast Journalism from Fordham University, was an award-winning producer for WFUV-FM, wrote music reviews, perfected her bocce skills, and traveled as much as her public radio budget would allow. In 2005, she made her way back to the Midwest to join Michigan Radio as an arts producer and local host of Weekend Edition. Jennifer now works as a reporter at the station specializing in coverage of arts and culture.
Born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, Brian Short has lived in Northern California, Southern Japan, and Eastern Michigan. His work has appeared in Alembic, Fourteen Hills, Kalliope, Monday Night, and Problem Child Magazine. In May 2009, Brian received his MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Michigan, where his writing earned him a Hopwood Award and a Zell Post-Graduate Fellowship. He prefers swimming to sledding.
Why Write?: Young Writers on Writing (12pm session)
Taught by Jennifer Guerra and Brian Short
Ages 12-16, 10 students
Saturday, July 25 (one session): 12-12:45pm
Do you like to write? Why? What advice do you have for other writers? What's a great piece of advice you've heard from someone else? What do you do when you can't write? What do you write FOR?
We know what you're thinking: SO MANY QUESTIONS. Do you have SO MANY ANSWERS? Then sign up for this workshop and let your voice be heard! In this workshop, we'll talk about what we like and don't like about writing and why. THEN Michigan Radio's Jennifer Guerra is going to turn it into an awesome podcast for the National Day of Writing, which will be posted on our website AND in the National Gallery of Writing on the National Council of Teachers of English website. That's quite a mouthful!
After graduating from the University of Michigan, Jennifer Guerra headed to New York for a life in the theatre. Two years later, she traded in her tap shoes for a pair of headphones and a digital recorder, and began her career in public radio. While in New York, Jennifer earned her Master's in Broadcast Journalism from Fordham University, was an award-winning producer for WFUV-FM, wrote music reviews, perfected her bocce skills, and traveled as much as her public radio budget would allow. In 2005, she made her way back to the Midwest to join Michigan Radio as an arts producer and local host of Weekend Edition. Jennifer now works as a reporter at the station specializing in coverage of arts and culture.
Born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, Brian Short has lived in Northern California, Southern Japan, and Eastern Michigan. His work has appeared in Alembic, Fourteen Hills, Kalliope, Monday Night, and Problem Child Magazine. In May 2009, Brian received his MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Michigan, where his writing earned him a Hopwood Award and a Zell Post-Graduate Fellowship. He prefers swimming to sledding.
826michigan’s Animation Camp!
Taught by Gary Schwartz
Ages 14-18, 10 students
This is a week-long camp, happening Monday, July 27 through Friday, July 31, 2009 from 10am to 5pm.
In this workshop, we’ll make a two-minute stop-motion animation film that will show at the Hiroshima International Animation Festival in Japan in 2010! As if that wasn’t enough to grab you, here’s more: We’ll go over all kinds of animation: zoetropes, flipbooks, spincycle, pixilation, exquisite corpse, underlight sand, puper cut-out collage, clay, dumpstermation, and geurillamation.
After that, we’ll come up with a concept, write the script, create the storyboards, and go into production! We want the short film to be about a robot. Other than that, the content is entirely up to the participants.
This is an intensive process that requires intensive commitment. This workshop has an idea, art, imagination, creativity, and self-expression focus. Because of this, we ask that prospective participants APPLY to this program.
If you are interested in participating and meet the age requirements, email amy@826michigan.org and respond to the following question: For this project we need artists, writers, and musicians to create the soundtrack. What category/categories do you fit into and what do you think you could bring to the project? Please include: a scan or photograph of some of your artwork, a piece of your writing, or a clip of your music as well as your name, age, school, and phone number.
Gary Schwartz is an award-winning, Oscar-nominated animator, director, artist, filmmaker, and teacher. He has taught animation throughout the country and in Europe. Through his company, Single Frame Films, Gary has produced, designed and directed animation for Disney, Sesame Street, MTV, Fox Television, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and others.
My Life as a Robot
Taught by Elaine Reed
Ages 8-10, 15 students
Tuesday, August 4, 2009 (one session): 6-8pm
If you’ve stopped by the Liberty Street Robot Supply & Repair (and if you haven’t, why haven’t you?), you’ve seen Rightbot, our amazing robot that sits in the front window and cycles through a rotating cast of students faces in its head. In this workshop, the artist who made that robot (and painted the gorgeous robot portrait in the store) will show you how to draw a robot. We’ll look at examples of different types of robots as we make robots that are reflections of ourselves. After our drawings are completed, we’ll write short stories about our robots, and our lives as robots.
Elaine Reed has been a volunteer at 826michigan for the last year. She’s become the “official” artist for our Storytelling & Bookmaking field trips. She’s a professional art teacher who works with many elementary afterschool art programs in Ann Arbor. She’s also a part time special project assistant to the Gifts of Art Program at the U of M Hospital, and a program coordinator assistant to the University of Michigan Turner Center for Geriatrics. She enjoys mixing creative art with creative writing, and loves working with children of all ages. Most importantly, though: “SHE LOVES ROBOTS!”
Transfiguration and Charms: Poetry at Hogwarts
Taught by Scott Beal
Ages 8-11, 15 students
Tuesdays: August 11, 18, 25, 2009 (three sessions): 6-7:30pm
The world of Harry Potter teaches us muggles that there is magic all around us—we just don’t know how to see it. Poetry, too, helps us to experience the everyday magic that we might otherwise miss.
In this workshop, young witches and wizards are invited to attend poetry class at Hogwarts. We’ll do a variety of writing exercises based on magic from the world of Harry Potter. We’ll make poetic Polyjuice potion. Ride on portkeys. Divination. Transfiguration. Defense Against the Dark Arts. And much more!
Professor Beal has been teaching at Hogwarts for thirteen years. He has recently received the award of Order of Merlin, Second Class for his pioneering work in the use of poetry in the Defense Against the Dark Arts.
This workshop is full. (You can put your name on the waiting list, though.
Hieroglyphics v2.0: Writing Stories and Poems Using Symbols and Pictures
Taught by Chris Hiltz
Ages 9-12, 15 students
Friday, August 14, 2009 (one session): 6-7:30pm
Humans, since the dawn of time, have been writing stories using pictures as words. Cavemen and Egyptians used pictures to document their stories and events. Secret societies such as any He-man Girl Hater Tree House Club to the Illuminati used pictures and symbols as code to communicate with each other in secrecy. For centuries, engineers and mathematicians have used symbols and abbreviations as a way to express complex ideas and laws. Today, through the phenomenon of texting and IM-ing, kids and adults write with pictures and symbols every day to express their feelings and to communicate what they are doing.
In this workshop, you will learn how to write a meaningful and creative story or poem with the use of modern day symbols, emotioncons, and abbreviations.
Chris Hiltz is 826’s VoftheM for June. He can often be found LOLing, Jing, and hopes to meet you at this workshop asap.
Michigan Science Theater 826
Taught by Chris Hiltz
Ages 11-14, 10 students
Friday, August 21, 2009 (one session): 6-8pm
Don’t be fooled by the title of the workshop: it is NOT about science! You may not be old enough to remember the shows Mystery Science Theater 3000 or Whose Line is it Anyway?, but you’re certainly old enough to appreciate a workshop based on those shows.
In this workshop, we’ll watch various and unique five to ten minute scenes from obscure sci-fi/robot movies without the sound. We’ll then split into teams and record the soundtracks to the scenes, including everything from dialogue to sound effects. At the end of the workshop, we’ll perform and videotape our newfound masterpieces, and post them on the 826michigan website!
Chris Hiltz is very tall, very funny, and looking for work. On Thursday afternoons you can find him working his shift in the Liberty Street Robot Supply & Repair.
