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Writopia Lab

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Writopia Lab is a nonprofit organization[1] offering creative writing workshops for kids and teens ages 6 to 18. It was founded in New York City in 2007[2] by journalist and educator Rebecca Wallace-Segall, now Chief Executive Officer.[3] Workshops held at Writopia's main locations cost a fee on an honor-based sliding scale fee system. Writopia's main locations are Manhattan, Brooklyn, NY Metro North area that serves Westchester around it, Washington DC,[2] Atlanta, San Francisco and Los Angeles.[1]

Writopia Lab serves as a community partner to Scholastic Art & Writing Awards in New York.[4] Writopia DC and Writopia Westchester serve as affiliates to the Scholastic Writing Awards in those areas, administering the local recognition programs and ceremonies.

Methodology

Writopia's methodology is described as student-centered, where each student sets his or her own goals with the guidance of the instructor, and is encouraged to finish a full piece of writing by the end of the workshop period.

Programs

Writopia offers youth programs in:[5]

  • Creative Writing
  • College Essay Writing
  • Essay Writing
  • Language Play (early childhood literacy)
  • Playwriting
  • Filmmaking
  • Graphic Noveling
  • Sleepaway Camp

Worldwide Plays Festival

Writopia hosts the annual Worldwide Plays Festival where plays written by students are selected to be produced, directed and performed by theatre professionals in off-broadway showcases.[6][7][8][9] It was formerly funded by David Letterman's production company, Worldwide Pants.

The festival was initiated by playwright Daniel Kitrosser in 2010 and won financial support from Worldwide Pants in 2011. Worldwide Pants donated $50,000 in 2011,[10] again in 2012, and $60,000 in 2013.

Partnerships

Writopia also runs free writing workshops offered throughout the New York Public Library, including the Edenwald branch, the 115th Street branch, the Throg's Neck Library, the Francis Martin branch, and Clason's Point Library.

Writopia also runs writing workshops for children who reside at Homes for the Homeless "inns."[11]

In addition, Writopia runs free college essay workshops in partnership with Bryant Park[12] and with the Office of The Mayor/NYC Service.

In the 2019– 2020 school year, Writopia partnered with PS 89 in the East Bronx to run an eight-week “progressive” ELA test prep. Writopia designed their program "to bridge the gap between creative writing and essay writing in the classroom."[13]

People

Notable members of Writopia Lab's Advisory Council include Nicole Krauss,[14] Susan Cain, Steve Young (writer),[15] and Stephen Dubner.[16]

References

  1. ^ "Letter from Inland Revenue Service confirming non-tax status" (PDF). Retrieved 6 May 2013.
  2. ^ a b Kelly, John (27 February 2013). "Once upon a time. . . young writers put on the prose". Washington Post. Retrieved 4 May 2013.
  3. ^ "Rebecca Wallace-Segall". www.writopialab.org. Retrieved 2023-01-24.
  4. ^ Shapiro, Joseph (June 13, 2013). "Amid Dropping Test Scores, Teen Writers' Creativity Soars : NPR". NPR. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  5. ^ "What We Offer". www.writopialab.org. Retrieved 2023-01-24.
  6. ^ "Writopia Lab's Worldwide Plays Festival show listing". The New York Times. Retrieved 4 May 2013.
  7. ^ Shaughnessy, Kristen (May 2012). "Weekend Feature: Young Playwrights Get Works Performed At Festival". NY1. Retrieved 4 May 2013.
  8. ^ Cruz, David (8 May 2013). "Bronx Neighbors: Zania Cousins". Bronx Times-Reporter. Retrieved 10 May 2013.
  9. ^ Hammill, Luke (11 May 2013). "13-Year-Old Playwright Awaits His Big Night". The New York Times. Retrieved 11 May 2013.
  10. ^ Barron, James (16 May 2011). "A Festival Where Playwriting Youth Is Served". The New York Times. Retrieved 4 May 2013.
  11. ^ Linek, Katie. "Uncensored "The Write Stuff"" (PDF). Retrieved 12 November 2014.
  12. ^ "Bryant Park Blog: Writing Workshops for Teens in the Reading Room". 12 September 2012. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
  13. ^ Sheeler, Danielle (2021-07-03). "Inviting Joy into Classroom Writing Instruction: An Exploration of the Use of Creative Writing within the Neoliberal Context of Standardization". The Educational Forum. 85 (3): 249–255. doi:10.1080/00131725.2021.1908467. ISSN 0013-1725.
  14. ^ "Nicole Krauss (final cut) - YouTube". Youtube.com. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
  15. ^ "Letterman Writer's Endorsement of Writopia Lab - YouTube". Youtube.com. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
  16. ^ "Stephen Dubner (final cut) - YouTube". Youtube.com. Retrieved 6 May 2013.

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