Workshop: Cyndy Turnage's workshops provide a direct link to literacy. She uses improvisational techniques, writing exercises and individual story conferences to guide students through the development of their original ideas into stories, books, songs, plays or video productions. In her writing workshops, students learn to select and develop an idea for a fictional or non-fictional story, create characters, write dialogue, develop story conflict and sharpen their powers of observation. The drama-writing series uses theatre, improvisation and storytelling to explore elements of creative writing. In her video-writing series, students are introduced to the special technique of screenwriting, then go on to write, plan, direct, produce, shoot edit and perform in their own videos. Students learn to use school video equipment, create simple special effects, and write their scripts in real screenwriting format. As they work together, students also get valuable experience in group cooperation, visual thinking, creative writing, communication skills, problem-solving, self confidence and commitment to their work.

Cyndy Turnage is an award-winning writer and director. She has written and directed films and plays, has worked as a writer, researcher and consultant in film and television. Ms. Turnage toured with the San Francisco Mime Troupe and was a member of the Mark Taper Forum's ITP (Improvisational Theatre Project.) A graduate of UC Berkeley, Ms. Turnage has an MFA from UCLA in Motion Pictures/Television.

Price:
$100 per 60-minute workshop, plus possible planning fee. Minimum three workshops per day must be scheduled.

Age Group:K-12
Capacity:1 Classroom (maximum of 35 students, plus regular teacher)
Availability:Year Round

To design an arts education program with this artist, please call (213) 250-ARTS or email education@musiccenter.org.

Prices are for services between July 1, 2008 and June 30, 2009.