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Writopia Lab

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Earlgrayson (talk | contribs) at 20:13, 6 February 2023 (Reverting back to a previous version that includes better organization of information and more objective writing. This version also includes key moments of the organization's history, including reference to scholarship.). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

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.

In 2012, Scholastic Art & Writing Awards awarded Wallace-Segall the Ovation Inspired Teacher Award which recognizes educators for innovative teaching methodologies. In 2015, Writopia established Writopia’s Training Institute with the support of the Pinkerton Foundation to create teaching materials and programs in the Writopia method for classrooms and non-profits. In 2019, Writopia established The Positive Literacy Collaborative in partnership with Goddard Riverside to help teach other non-profits how to create writing programs in their own organizations.

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 to program "to bridge the gap between creative writing and essay writing in the classroom."[5]

Programs

Writopia offers youth programs in:[6]

  • 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.[7][8][9][10] 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,[11] again in 2012, and $60,000 in 2013.

Partnerships

Organizations that have partnered with Writopia to offer free writing workshops include the New York Public Library, Homes for the Homeless[12], Bryant Park[13] and the Office of The Mayor/NYC Service.

People

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

Notable alumni include Emma Goldberg.

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. ^ 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.
  6. ^ "What We Offer". www.writopialab.org. Retrieved 2023-01-24.
  7. ^ "Writopia Lab's Worldwide Plays Festival show listing". The New York Times. Retrieved 4 May 2013.
  8. ^ Shaughnessy, Kristen (May 2012). "Weekend Feature: Young Playwrights Get Works Performed At Festival". NY1. Retrieved 4 May 2013.
  9. ^ Cruz, David (8 May 2013). "Bronx Neighbors: Zania Cousins". Bronx Times-Reporter. Retrieved 10 May 2013.
  10. ^ Hammill, Luke (11 May 2013). "13-Year-Old Playwright Awaits His Big Night". The New York Times. Retrieved 11 May 2013.
  11. ^ Barron, James (16 May 2011). "A Festival Where Playwriting Youth Is Served". The New York Times. Retrieved 4 May 2013.
  12. ^ Linek, Katie. "Uncensored "The Write Stuff"" (PDF). Retrieved 12 November 2014.
  13. ^ "Bryant Park Blog: Writing Workshops for Teens in the Reading Room". 12 September 2012. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
  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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