Unraveling novel methods of composition, students dive into fresh and familiar territory during their Pre-College course
In the picturesque town of Shutesbury, Massachusetts, Vienna Meyer, a rising high school senior, embarked on an enlightening journey this summer. She participated in Brown University's Secondhand Writing course, a unique programme designed to nurture young writers' creative practices.
Taught by Brian Dang and Jimmy Fay, second-year graduate students in Brown's MFA in Playwriting program, the course draws inspiration from their experiences in Brown's MFA playwriting programme. The workshop environment, particularly, proved instructive for Dang and Fay as they honed their teaching skills.
"I appreciate the engagement in discussions that a college course setting offers," Dang said, expressing his appreciation for the students' curiosity and enthusiasm. Fay, too, found a relationship between the Pre-College students' writing and his own.
Meyer, who approached the course with a longstanding interest in archival research, found that any expectations she had were quickly exceeded. The course encourages young writers to explore archives, museums, and antique shops, fostering a tangible, iterative understanding of writing.
Caleia Worthen, a rising high school junior from Phoenix, also participated in the course. She found it helpful in better understanding writing as a process and in stopping idealizing college. The course includes daily reading and discussion of literature, dynamic writing exercises, structured peer workshops, and a rigorous feedback process.
In addition to these academic elements, the course includes "artist dates," or field trips designed to inspire observation and immersion. Examples of these dates include visits to Brown's John Hay Library, RISD Museum, India Point Park, and secondhand and antique shops in Providence.
Worthen also mentioned that the course has given her a picture of herself walking on a college campus, an experience she found invaluable. Meyer plans to take techniques from the class into her future writing.
For Dang and Fay, the course serves as a reminder to stay connected, read, and encounter the world with curiosity. They find the students' curiosity and enthusiasm motivating, making the teaching experience rewarding.
Despite extensive online searches, no results specify which MFA program for playwriting at Brown University alumni were involved in developing and teaching the course. However, the impact of Secondhand Writing on its participants is undeniable, offering a unique and enriching experience for young writers.
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