Voices of Now
Voices of Now is a half-year or year-long drama program, designed by Ashley Forman, in which participants are given the opportunity to learn about theater, writing and performance, with the ultimate goal of devising and performing a piece of theater base on their own writing.
Voices of Now
- creates a community of artists, enhancing teamwork and collaboration skills.
- explores dramatic writing as a tool for human connection and self-expression.
- provides hands-on drama training aimed at allowing students to feel confident in their ability to express themselves.
- results in devising original theater that reflects the participants’ experience, feelings and ideas.
Participants
Voices of Now is tailored to middle and high school groups of eight or more. Available throughout the DC Metro area for your school or community group.
Current partners include Jefferson Middle School (DCPS), Fairfax County Public Schools, Pediatric AIDS/HIV Care Inc., Capital Caring, and the DC Child and Family Services Agency’s Office of Youth Empowerment.
Interested individual performers should learn more about the Voices of Now Mead Ensemble, a Voices of Now Ensemble hosted by Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater.
Elements of a Voices of Now Performance
Although each Voices of Now performance is unique, there is a common structure and process which demand certain behaviors from ensemble members: full participation, commitment, discipline and collaboration. The performances tend to be between 20-40 minutes in length, and are fast-paced, highly choreographed physical theater pieces collaboratively written around a theme. Artistic elements include poetry, movement, music, dialogue, monologue, pantomime and storytelling. All actors are onstage for the entire performance and everyone participates in some way in telling the stories created by the ensemble.
Program Format
Part One: Introductory Actors’ Tools Workshops
Artists participate in four workshops. Each workshop introduces an actor’s tool: movement, vocal expression, creativity and teamwork. Participants who complete all four workshops will be prepared for the Voices of Now Ensemble. Based on the goals of the organization, ensemble membership may be by audition.
Part Two: The Voices of Now Ensemble
The Voices of Now Ensemble, an exclusive group of 8-20 young artists, creates an original play to be performed throughout the community. To be a member of the Ensemble, participants must have attended all required Voices of Now introductory workshops. If an auditioned ensemble, participants must demonstrate enthusiasm and collaboration during the audition process.
Accomplishments
Voices of Now is a nationally recognized program. In addition to performing within the community, past ensembles have performed at such venues as Arena Stage, DC’s Seventh Street Landing, Imagination Stage in Bethesda, Atlas Performing Arts Center’s Intersections Festival, and Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage.
Individuals in grades 7, 8, 9 or 10 who are interested in participating in Voices of Now should learn more about the MEAD Ensemble.
Program Fees:
Please call 202-234-5782 for fee structure.
Related Video
Double click to expand video
To Apply:
If you are interested in bringing
Voices of Now to your school or organization, contact us at 202-234-5782 or e-mail education@arenastage.org.
Arena Stage partners with a limited number of schools and organizations each year to provide Voices of Now.
Student Quotes and Writings
A long ancestral line
We are yarns in a tapestry
That is part of the grand design.
By Siera
The sky shattered into perfect pieces
Untouchable
The glare of the light stabbed all those who stared
And when the tears came, they struck the world like thunderous bolts of relief.
By Laneisha
