Students will learn acting techniques, set design, playwright, performance and stage management during this program. Literacy and education will be at the forefront as we read selected library books and turn some of them into original plays. Students will routinely perform scripts we work on to increase their comfort in front of audiences.

Wordsmith will also lead students in an interactive poetry workshop that promotes freedom of expression. A heavy emphasis will be placed on the poetry writing process, poetry writing exercises and interactive examples. There will also be a concentrated focus on performance techniques and lyrical arrangements (structured & freeform) used in poetical pieces.

1. Acting & The Art of Storytelling

Wordsmith will guide students through the art of performance as they portray characters and tell stories using dialogue, body language, and facial expressions. 

• Ability to take direction.
• Ability to work as a team and also individually.
• Good time keeping skills.
• Reliability.
• Ability to learn lines/directions.
• Confidence in being in front of an audience.
• Experience in improvisation/ad-libbing.

2. Performance

Performing is when an artist uses their voices, bodies or inanimate objects to convey artistic expression. Wordsmith will go through several performance techniques while working with students on ways to use their body and facial expressions to convey an emotion.  

3. Set Design & Staging

Students will learn ways to create costumes, scenery, furniture, props and design the overall look of the stage.

• Proscenium stage, in which the stage is directly in front of the entire audience.
• Alley stage, in which the audience is seated on two sides and the play is performed in the middle.
• Thrust stage, in which the audience is seated on three sides of the stage

4. Poetry with a Purpose

Students will learn the importance of freedom expression, while creating 3 sets of poems to perform for classmates and community members.

• True Stories
• Slam Poetry
• Rhythmic Poetry

PROJECT GOALS AND KEY MILESTONES

One of Wordsmith’s main priorities is creating a love for performance art; especially among marginalized youth. Using motivational messages, education and entertainment, Wordsmith looks to inspire to the next generation of vocal leaders. Theater & Poetry is a great way to build speaking skills, improve memory, convey thoughts and practice addressing audiences. Great leaders like Martin Luther King, Malcom X and Fredrick Douglas to name a few were excellent orators who understood the power of their words; Poetry with a Purpose will help the youth realize their voice as well!

Overall, Wordsmith seeks to encourage Baltimore City youth to use theater & poetry as a way to share ideas, opinions, tell stories and create shared experiences.