The creative writing program emphasizes the craft of writing as a literary art, a tool of self-expression and an instrument for social change. Students experience an intensive workshop environment in which they develop poetry, prose (fiction or creative non-fiction) and various forms of professional writing including journalism and public relations. Our creative writers gain hands-on experience with publishing through Genre, our student-run literary magazine, and through CASA Chronicles, our school newsletter. They collaborate with other artists to develop performances, choreopoems or scripts for screen or stage. Published authors and media practitioners in the community serve as mentors to our students, while the city itself becomes inspiration as they hone their craft.

  

Upperclassmen Creative Writing students begin the process of assisting with the development of the End of Year Performance titled, CASA Live!, early in the year. Every Thursday, students from all programs work together in the Integrated Arts curriculum. Six various art disciplines: creative writing, dance, film and media arts, music, theatre and visual arts, collaborate to discover a theme, and develop the end of year program while cultivating an appreciation for the various art disciplines. During the course of a 9-month period, students break into small groups consisting of various arts disciplines to discuss and create scenes that later develop into fully realized components of the performance. Each class is asked to embellish scenes, using dialogue, music, prop suggestions, movement, and film interpretation as related to the chosen theme and thesis. The result? An artistic rendering of a theme more closely related to performance art than a high school musical or narrative play. More importantly, students learn the art of working together ---all the highs and lows of collaboration that accumulates into an original, crowd-pleasing performance for the community to enjoy.

 

Please email Ms. Krista Werner at: kwerner@casa-arts.org with any questions.