Current and in-progress programs and services include:
Virtual Writers Room: Weekly workshops where students are given 10 minutes with a prompt followed by a ‘positive feedback’ loop, resulting in large bodies of work over time. The emphasis on positive reinforcement helps build community, self confidence and a deeper connection to the creative self.
Novels & Longer Narratives Workshop: An 8 week workshop where writers share their work and dive into analyses of narrative elements like theme, emotion, character arc, scene, and style. Focused on building community while generating writing for a larger written work.
Youth Workshop: A workshop bringing together 14-18 year olds for a two week intensive of writing, sharing, editing and preparing a piece for performance. Includes Q&As with internationally renowned playwrights, directors, writers and actors from the Ojai Playwrights Conference.
Storyworks: A monthly open mic night designed for creatives to share their works in progress, including songs, poems, essays and more, focused on generous listening and feedback or support. This evening creates a safe environment for creatives to dive into vulnerable spaces.
Townies Out Loud: Solo performance development program engaging a local writer, utilizing the personal story to explore the depths of the social-political economic issues of our community.
Annual Community Gathering: Events with stories, food and music focused on community and connection where we celebrate accomplishments and promote current programming
The Townies Ink: A print journal featuring all original works and photographs produced by our community over the course of the pandemic.
The Townies Podcast: Featuring stories from our workshops and contributions from local artists (44 episodes available for free wherever you get your podcasts; new episodes on hiatus).
10-Week Class & Show: Participants meet for 3 hours a week to write, share and develop a piece for performance. Currently on hiatus.