young california writers project

The Young California Writers Project uses the energy of live theatre to inspire students to write and to give them a forum for creative self-expression. For the past 10 years, Magic has placed professional playwrights in residences in public high school classrooms around the Bay Area. Over the course of ten weeks, students engage in a variety of writing exercises, discuss the nature and impact of theatre, come to the Magic for a special matinee performance of a mainstage show, and develop their own short plays.

The YCWP program culminates in a full day at Magic, where students work with the resident playwright, actors and directors to revise, rehearse and perform their plays in staged reading format before a live audience.  The rehearsal/performance day at the theatre is always exciting as students work hard and collaborate with professional artists.  The students can see the fruits of their labors and the power of their ideas being manifested on the stage.

Melinda Simpson, Classroom Teacher
Cherylene Lee, Resident Playwright
Carrie Paff, Program Director
Leon Goertzen, Assistant Program Director