Summary
Teen West Ink is an in-classroom, 5-6 week playwriting residency where high school drama students are introduced to the art of playwriting through exercises and assignments designed to address the fundamentals of the craft: dialogue, characterization, structure, style, theatrical mechanics - to name a few. Various forms of playwriting are also explored: the micro work, the one act, the full length, solo show, book of a musical, lyric writing, and adaptation.
The program is highly collaborative in that the host teacher and Teen West Ink instructors work closely together to design the residency in ways that best serve that particular class’s needs. For example: a teacher is engaging their students with a study in mythology throughout the theatrical tradition. This might mean adaptation and style get more focus in that particular residency. Another example: a teacher is assigning an acting exercise where students play historical figures by doing monologues. This might mean solo show will get much more focus. The goal is for all students to leave the residency with a strong grasp of playwriting while also utilizing skills in dramatization to augment the culture of their class and theatre curriculum.
The program is designed to be delivered either in person or virtually through platforms like Zoom or Google Meet and can easily toggle back and forth to meet the flexibility needs during the era of COVID-19.
Every student will have a final goal to meet by the end of the residency. But this too is flexible and determined by both the host teacher and Teen West Ink instructors. For some schools, it may be that all students are expected to finish a 5-minute micro work. For others, it may mean that the first 3 scenes of a full length are to be completed. In some situations, the assignments may vary, because that host teacher wants each student to be honored for their unique and individual needs and interests. In some scenarios, all may write under a similar theme. The options are many – and exciting.
Teen West Ink students may apply for a summer commissioning program. Two to four writers are selected and will be contracted and paid a stipend to pen a 45-60 minute new play over the course of 6 weeks. This play must feature all teenaged characters. The playwrights will receive up to 15 hours of dramaturgical services from various mentors.
Capacity / Frequency / Level
Teen West Ink can currently serve between 6 and 8 schools each school year. This is largely dependent on scheduling. The goal is to look at all interested schools across the region and attempt to schedule 2 residencies per quarter / 4 per semester.
During the 5-6 weeks, Teen West Ink is in residency most days that particular drama class is in session. This equates roughly to 18 hours of instruction, depending on the school.
The program is designed for students who already have a fundamental knowledge of the theatrical arts. Typically, the residency occurs in the “intermediate, advanced, and/or IB drama class”. That said, there is flexibility; curriculum can be adjusted to successfully interface with beginners and even non-drama classes/students. We also wish to be 100% inclusive and account for all abilities; we will carefully collaborate with host teachers to serve individual needs (i.e. IEPs).
Cost
The current fee is $1500. But Playwrights West also accepts schools on a need basis and considers reducing costs. The price is always negotiable. It should also be noted that the goal is to offer this program 100% free to schools by the 25-26 school year. Prior to that, we hope to lower the school fee each year with more of the cost being covered by sponsors of our programming. In 2021-2022, no school is paying full price.
Instructors
The lead instructor for Teen West Ink is Matthew B. Zrebski, a founding member of Playwrights West and a multi-award winning playwright and director with over 25 years of experience as a teaching artist specializing in mentoring teenagers. He has built programming that intersects theatre art with issues around mental and emotional health. He also specializes in teaching theatre to those with intellectual and/or physical disabilities (hidden or visible). And for nearly a decade, he led playwriting instruction at Alliance High School’s FOCUS campus, serving that alternative school model within Portland Public Schools. At times, he may be assisted at times throughout the residencies by other teaching artists (all with experience in teaching and/or mentoring playwrights) from the Playwrights West membership roster and/or by guest teaching artists from the Portland region.
Timing
Originally, Playwrights West was investigating launching in 2024-2025. When COVID closures resulted in the massive shutdown and budget reductions for theatre institutions, the result was the elimination and/or complete redesign of residency programs in schools. They disappeared in many instances. This meant drama students dealing with online instruction, loss of after school performances, and a void of social interaction with peers were also losing what had become annual programs with local regional theatres. Teachers asserted how important it was in the 20-21 school year to do whatever possible to provide thrilling opportunities for their students – to help maintain continuity of offerings, creative excitement, mental / emotional wellness, and an optimistic outlook for the theatre arts. After much investigation with teachers and consultants, both local and national, it became clear there was a void and that Playwrights West was positioned to step in, fulfill its expansion goals earlier than intended, and be a leader alongside dedicated public school teachers in asserting the critical role performing arts play in high school education. The 2020-2021 launch of the program was a huge success - we could not be more excited to keep growing this offering.
