EXPERIMENTAL WRITER'S WORKSHOPS

EXPERIMENTAL WRITING WORKSHOPS
in THREE OCTAVES

"Hearing Your Character"
Saturday, October 2nd

"The Spiral Model"
Saturday, October 9th

"Myth & the Modern Fairy Tale:
Exploring Darkness"
Saturday, October 16th

10AM to 4PM

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HEARING YOUR CHARACTER
SATURDAY OCTOBER 2ND, 10AM-4PM

"Hearing Your Character is a movement-based, physical workshop. Through Michael Chekhov's rarely-used character exercises, Stephen will open your senses to clarity beyond what is explored on the page, whether it be for the stage, poetry, fantasy, or non-fiction.

Movement for the spine is essential for all creativity, and the workshop is designed upon accessing this energy. You will form characters within your imagination--taken from ongoing or past projects--and incorporate them into gestures. New pathways and dimensions will reveal themselves, and your imagination trained to return there at any time.

Once your body is properly conditioned, then you begin the fun, intellectuall analysis. Participants will define their character's psychological needs--the driving will-force behind the story. We all know faults shine more than perfection in a good story, and create an awareness of the character's ful journey; a clear reason for what is being told.

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THE SPIRAL MODEL
SATURDAY OCTOBER 9TH, 10AM-4PM

For decades, writers have been taught the "Isosceles Model" of structuring a story, containing the rising action, climax, resolution, etc; AKA the Hollywood model. While exciting, does such careless ejaculation leave the audience wondering and contemplative the way potent art does? "The Spiral Model" brings to light a hidden form of writing, one that erupts unconsciously and spirals upward, encouraging a more expansive use of the imagination. It is an unblemished method of storytelling that leaves the audience without a conclusion--having to find it within themselves.

Stephen will take you through well-known novels, plays, and films that explicitly emanate both forms of storytelling. The "central scene" is the crux of the spiral model, summing up the purpose of the story in a few sentences or paragraphs. This parallels the "point of no return" in the Isosceles model.

From your inspiration, you will envision a central moment for your own work, journeying through movement and imagination to your individual worlds, applying this philosophy to your creations.

The workshops will conclude by marrying the two models, so the height and excitement of climax might penetrate the powerful resonance of the central scene, coming to whole new perspectives of storytelling. Participants are encouraged to bring a manuscript of their own work.

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MYTH & THE MODERN FAIRY TALE: EXPLORING DARKNESS
SATURDAY OCTOBER 16TH, 10AM-4PM

The fairy tale traditionally involves youthful characters overcoming an impossible darkness. As a mythic storyteller, you are tasked with exploring the darkness to discover magic and inspiration that breathes life into your work. In "Myth & the Modern Fairy Tale: Exploring Darkness," I will take you through the cracks in the light with a mask & movement-based workshop that inspires and expands the fantastic imagination.

We begin by defining what is psychologically lost in modern society; a succinct, mythological passage of rites that has been shrouded behind scattered ideologies. Through abstract music, you will descend to the lowest reaches of your inner-consciousness--the "Old Hollow Oak"--opening the doors to the unknown.

Participants will explore their own darkness and gain access to individual worlds, form scenarios within their own imagination, and incorporate them through focus and gesture. The process will, ultimately, bring the greater light into focus. Classic works from George MacDonald and The Brother's Grimm will be used as inspiration for your journey.

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$100/ OCTAVE
$250/ ENTIRE SERIES

The octaves move in succint procession; exploring all three will result in the deepest glean of your richest rewards.
call 610.220.5663 or email hersheystephen@gmail.com for reservations.

Stephen Hershey has worked privately with Per Brahe and STUDIO 5 for years, attending three separate Bali Conservatories, the first which he received a full scholarship. He began writing after graduating from The School For Film & Television, noticing that the acting process, particularly the techniques taught at STUDIO 5, is largely beneficial to all forms of art; simply, awakening what we were born to do as human beings. Stephen is a published poet and contributes essays and news blogs to the progressive literary journal, "Reality Sandwich." He has developed several plays, screenplays, and novels, focusing in children's literature. Stephen spent the last year-and-a-half touring the world as a Baby T-Rex with the show, "Walking With Dinosaurs: The Arena Spectacular."