Creative Writing Workshop, with poet, Shakespearean, musician, essayist Chris Stroffolino in a fun, nurturing, non-institutional or graded setting

8 Three Hour Sessions; 1st Spring 2013 session begins early May. Dates & times to be determined depending on the needs of the class (I will do my best to accommodate people’s schedules--most likely a weeknight).

Class Size: minimum of 5, maximum of 10

Cost $400: Check, money-order, or cash are all acceptable.

Course Description: . Taking each student’s writing and/or performance pieces as the starting point, this workshop encourages students to write in different genres. Students may work within one genre throughout the entire course, but will be encouraged to explore a way of stylistic options including screenplays, poems, manifestos, creative-non-fiction, dialogue pieces, performance texts, song lyrics, poem-paintings, videos, texts that redefine or de-define genre, ‘hybrid texts,’ or ‘non-poetry.’ Students will offer critiques of each other’s work to create a dialogue within a ‘unity in diversity’ approach. By the end of the class, students can expect a deeper understanding into the creative process as well as the business of publishing or other ways of making their work public. Note: this class is intended for all levels.

Chris Stroffolino is the author of 7 books of poetry, including Light As A Fetter (2007), Speculative Primitive (2004), Scratch Vocals (2003), Stealer’s Wheel (1999), Cusps (1995), and Oops (1994). He also published 2 books of Literary Criticism, Spin Cycle (2001), and, with David Rosenthal, a critical study of Shakespeare’s 12th Night (2000). He received a PhD in Shakespeare studies and has worked with The Actors Shakespeare Company (Albany, NY) and Cal Shakespeare (Orinda). He has recorded & performed music with Silver Jews, King Khan & Gris Gris, SLVR, Jolie Holland, and done soundtrack and session work for many others. Stroffolino’s music and cultural criticism has appeared in The Radio Survivor, The Big Takeover, Caught In The Carousel, Kitchen Sink, Oakbook, etc. His was a recipient of grants from NYFA, and The Fund For Poetry, and was Distinguished Visiting Poet-in-Residence at St. Mary’s college from 2001-2006. He has also taught at San Francisco Art Institute, Mills College, Rutgers University, NYU, LIU, Laney College, Temple and Drexel. His poetry and prose has been widely anthologized, and translated into Spanish, Bengali, Hungarian, and Dutch. He has also edited literary journals and curated several reading/music/talk/performance series.

To Register, contact chris.stroffolino@gmail.com or 415-260-7535. Spaces are limited. No more than 10 students will be accepted per class. Interested students should submit a note explaining what you hope to learn this session or a 3-5 page sample (or 2 MP3s if working in primarily an audio format).

*I’ve taught these classes in art galleries, cafes, community centers, and at students’ homes.

No grades, but the workshop may culminate in a public/reading performance talk.

**I am also available for one-on-one sessions (in person, through phone, or email)