Former TV writer to hold workshop Jan. 22
The Elgin Cultural Arts Commission will present the writing workshop "From Perfect Idea to Imperfect Words" at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 22 at the Elgin Art Showcase, 164 Division St., eighth floor, in downtown Elgin . This event is sponsored by the Elgin Cultural Arts Commission, Elgin Art Showcase, and City of Elgin, and is open to the public.
It takes courage to translate that perfect idea in your head to imperfect words on the page. Good storytelling may be mysterious but the actual writing process shouldn't be. Whether your inspiration is a character you meet on the street, a theme you wish to explore, or a compelling image, this workshop will help you transform that perfect idea in your head into the imperfect words on the page. Using guided writing exercises and group feedback, you will begin to put your idea down on paper and leave the workshop with a road map for your next steps.
Register and submit a $20 fee ($15 for students) by Jan. 14 to Sylvia Grady, City Manager's Office, 150 Dexter Court, Elgin. On the day of the workshop, just bring a laptop computer or pen and paper — and your desire to write.
The workshop is open to adults, high school and college students, and gifted middle school students.
Merri Biechler's plays include "Bombs, Babes and Bingo" (2010 New Orleans Fringe Festival, Artist's Laboratory Theatre production, Clubbed Thumb Biennial Commission finalist, P73 Playwriting Fellowship semi-finalist); "Real Girls Can't Win!" (Stavis Playwriting Award nominee; Indiana State, Centenary College and Ohio University productions); and "Dolley Madison and the Secret History Club" (Kennedy Center/White House Historical Association commission). She worked at ABC Television for three years writing scripts and treatments for its Movie-of-the-Week division, and is a proud member of the Writers Guild of America, Actors' Equity Association, and Screen Actors Guild. She is currently involved in programs using plays about dementia, diabetes, nurse burnout, and sickle cell disease as teaching tools for students and as community outreach.
Biechler's award-winning play, "Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver," will be presented as a staged reading at the Elgin Art Showcase at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 21 and Saturday, Jan. 22 and 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 23. This event is free to the public and there will be a reception and discussion led by the playwright after each performance.
To learn more about these events and the Elgin Cultural Arts Commission, please contact City Liaison, Sylvia Grady by email at grady_s@cityofelgin.org. You can also visit www.cityofelgin.org.