applications open!
WRITERS' GROUP
for Native American and Indigenous
artists in San Diego County
Blindspot Collective, a theatre company in San Diego County, is establishing a creative, collaborative space for local Native American artists. This pilot program is an introduction to the tools of theatre and will focus on storytelling, creative writing, and performance development. No prior experience or formal training is required.
Participants will cultivate their playwriting skills and individual voice while developing short plays or original writing for performance. In this creative space, writers will learn from each other through observation, feedback, and collaboration. The first six weeks will focus on community building and creative development, including conversations with established Native American theatre artists so that participants may reflect and learn from others in the field. Writers will then have an opportunity to workshop their writing with performers (if desired) prior to a culminating event to honor and celebrate the writers and their works-in-process.
5-8 participants will be selected to receive critical support and resources to develop or advance their creative writing and/or playwriting skills. The group will launch in January 2022 and will meet once a week for 10 weeks. The exact day/time of the weekly workshops will be determined after participants are selected to ensure maximum accessibility.
Due to the circumstances of COVID-19, the program will primarily be held virtually/remotely.
Selected participants will receive a $25/week honorarium for their participation.
To apply, please submit this short form by November 7th
It collects basic contact and demographic information, and includes three short answer questions. Please limit each response to no more than 200 words.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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The intent of this program is to provide paid, creative opportunities to local, Indigenous artists while increasing meaningful Native American participation and representation in the theatre community in San Diego.
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This program was created in response to dialogue between Blindspot Collective, the University of California, and local Native American leaders. Blindspot Collective is not affiliated with any local tribal organizations. However, the company was founded to serve historically excluded communities, and is actively invested in radically inclusive, anti-racist, and decolonizing practices.
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Blindspot Collective defines playwriting very broadly as any kind of live performance that includes original and/or edited text for an audience. Therefore, the outcomes of this workshop could vary wildly depending on the individual interests of participants, including traditional narrative plays, documentary plays, solo performances, musicals, or new forms yet to be defined.
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This program is open to all Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and First Nations individuals residing in San Diego County, including those from non-federally recognized tribes. Although the intent is to engage members of the local, California Indian community in San Diego County, there is no requirement or expectation that participants must be enrolled members of a California Indian tribe.
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Collaborating facilitators, performers and/or Native American artists who provide mentorship or guidance will also be compensated for their time.
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Should you have any questions or require assistance of any kind, please email us at info@blindspotcollective.org
