Workshop Overview

 

The musical, Fun Home, is based on Alison Bechdel’s graphic memoir by the same name. At the time of the text’s publication in 2006 it was one of the first of its genre, blurring the boundaries between comics and memoir and establishing itself as a truly literary graphic text.

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In this workshop, students will explore many of the graphic memoir’s themes of identity, queer identity, coming-of-age, family dynamics, memory, and finding one’s place in the world. Bechdel took seven years to write and draw this text because of the care she took in asking big questions about herself and where she came from. She leaned heavily on literature, architecture, art, photography, and family history to come to terms with the questions that have both haunted and shaped her into the person and artist she is today.

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Over the course of 60-90 minutes, students will participate in a variety of dynamic and engaging exercises including 1-2 minutes flash performances, written reflection, drawing, and group discussion inspired by Bechdel’s text. The goal is for students to think deeply about their own identities, struggles, and truths and practice reflecting on all of these through art, writing, and storytelling.

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About Claire Brislin

 

Claire Brislin has been an educator since 2007. She has a BA in English, an MA in Literature, and an MFA in Writing for Children. She has taught high school English, literature, humanities, and creative writing in schools across the country and the world. She is a middle-grade and young-adult author and recently started her own business, Write Now Programs, that offers writing support and creative writing classes and workshops for young writers. She lives and works in Bend, OR.

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Logistics:

● 60-90 minutes (flexible programming depending on available time)

● English classes, theater classes

● In-school or after school

● 10-25 students (ideal size, but also flexible)

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Materials:

● Open space (for movement and performance)

● Desks/tables (for writing)

● Paper (lined and blank)

● Pens/pencils (student-provided)

● Colored markers

● Books

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Cost: Sliding Scale