From Page to Stage: the Art of Performing the Written Word

Instructor: Loria Mendoza, MA/ MFA in Creative Writing SFSU

How does one effectively interpret and convey the emotions in a poem or story during a live reading? How can performers handle nervousness or stage fright? How does a reader choose the right piece, pace, rhythm, while balancing memorization and improvisation techniques to best engage with their audience? Embark on a unique literary adventure where you’ll tackle these questions and more with Loria Mendoza, award winning writer and professional performance artist.

In this dynamic five-week Red Light Lit course, participants will engage with each other’s writing as well as a curated selection of poems, prose, videos, and sound recordings of the written word to intimately explore the essence of live reading as a form of embodied expression– where words are not merely spoken, but felt. Together, we will explore the intersection of written expression and performance, the intricacies of reading live, and delve into the art of storytelling with embodied stage presence. We will explore the fusion of other art forms (music, visuals) and technology (virtual audiences) with live readings. 

Each week will include short homework assignments targeted towards crafting charisma for literary performances and overcoming the participants' particular performance blocks. By the end of the course, you’ll leave with a better understanding of how to align your pieces with your unique style and the moods of different audiences, how to modulate your cadence and delivery for maximum impact, strategies for cultivating confidence, how to adapt your delivery to different performance spaces and audiences, and other tools for expanding the boundaries of traditional performance.

Instructor Loria Mendoza brings a wealth of experience and a passion for guiding writers through the journey of live performance. Whether you're a novice eager to unlock your potential or a seasoned poet looking to refine your craft, this course invites you to immerse yourself in the magic of live readings, where words come alive and emotions resonate in the hearts of those who listen.

Class occurs online (Zoom) every Sunday from Jan 12th until Feb 9th from 1:00pm-3:00pm CST/11:00am-1:00pm PST.

$350 registration. 12 person maximum.