storytelling for mental health – YOUTH WRITING & DIRECTING
ABOUT
Through guided sessions, youth participants engage in creative writing and thought to generate plots, characters and scenarios that reflect the world issues they believe are relevant. The scripts are developed by writer-director, Aakowa, who then has youth participants join in the process to audition and hire professional actors for final theatrical event, called Theatre Masterminds. Theatre Masterminds is an event where, based on the theatrical presentations, there are short panel discussions about the topics showcased.
In the process of writing, as we talk about and create the story, there is a positive effect for the mental health & wellness of all youth participants. They are given the platform to express their own truths about the world in a healthy manner.
This is a year-round extracurricular program for those interested. Winter program runs January – April | Summer program runs May – August | Fall program runs September – December.
Important Notes:
- Fees charged for the program assist with hiring of actors and costs related to final performance
- Writing sessions to create stories will be conveniently online.
- Actor auditions, rehearsals and final performances are in person
- Parents, guardians and/or faculty are welcome to attend throughout the process
- Youth participants have the option to use the final event as a fundraiser, selling tickets to their family, friends and the public to attend. Profits go to any good cause all youth participants agree upon
- The final theatrical skit is put onto the aakowa.com catalog of stories to rent or buy. Any ongoing profits of the work will go to any good cause all youth participants agree upon