During the spring semester in the Creative Writing department, students at all grade levels prepare for their readings. Whether you’re a senior with more experience or an incoming seventh grader, everyone will read in front of their peers this semester. How do Creative Writing students prepare for their readings?
In the Creative Writing department, students read from a collection of work that’s either accumulated from the semester, or entirely new work they've written just for the reading. Some writers decide that a mixture of both is their favorite option.
The Monday before their readings begin on Thursday, students practice in the lecture hall during 9th period. Throughout the process, students hone their timing and sequencing, making sure to take the practicing period like an actual reading would be except without the larger audience.
The readings began on Jan. 24 with juniors Ash Pierce and Avi Goldberg. Both agreed that the reading went well, and that they were prepared despite the unexpected break that occurred earlier this month. The rescheduling of the Creative Writing Senior Showcase after winter weather delays, which landed on the day before their reading, added a bit of stress, they said, with Avi mentioning that they even had to stay late after the event for some extra practice. Despite that, Ash stated that they felt good about the outcome.
One problem the Creative Writing department has faced for years, which shows no signs of changing with this group of readings, is low attendance. Creative Writing students are required to attend all readings, which works out well since most of them fall within class time, but this is a problem for other departments. As was the case at last Thursday’s reading, few, if any, students from other departments were able to come. Although Ash and Avi weren’t particularly bothered, this trend has been disappointing to many Creative Writing students. Many problems contribute to it, but with more awareness brought to the readings, hopefully attendance will increase.
The remaining reading schedule is listed below:
Today: 11th Grade Reading #2 – Nola Crumpton, Jaid Sconiers, Bete Slocum
February 8: 10th Grade Reading #1 – Ollie Caillier, Ezra Clingan, Violet Marty, Lily Wilson
February 22: 10th Grade Reading #2 – Keslyn Barry, Liam Little, August Thaete-Corbalan, Marielle Vientos, Alex Viles
March 7: 9th Grade Reading #1 – Harris Murphree, Cecily Turner, Will Noble, and Ari Woertz
March 14: 9th Grade Reading #2 – Naima Salvary, Mairwen Jones, Allie Rezek, and Lael Ponder
March 21: 9th Grade Reading #3 – Kayla DiSalvo, Ella DeRocher, and Claire Thomas
April 18: 8th Grade Reading – Emma Blankenship, Chloe Floyd, Gail Grey, Denise Otali, Kennedi Parker, and Omari Washington
May 2: 7th Grade Reading – Marion Bergeron, Anjali Mehta, Alley Kwon, Aarnav Sammeta, and Remi Silva Reilly
Senior readings will be held on Friday evenings at 5:30 p.m. in April.
April 5: Kalvin Crescenzi and Egg McClure
April 12: Kyra Richardson and Mya Richardson
April 26: Madison Hoar, Melany Morgan and Lauren Underberg
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