WRITING WORKSHOPS

The Roots and Wings Project is dedicated to cultivating unique creative expression in all people. We offer workshops for a range of audiences including teenagers, adults, women and professional artists, and those being held in incarceration. Workshops allow participants to cultivate and express their voice, recognize any obstacles to growth, and uncover untold stories using the power of writing and acting. Veteran Educator Jesse Bliss has extensive experience teaching in public schools, jails, museums, universities, homeless shelters and community arts institutions. We also create Study Guides with accompanying workshops to enhance the experience and deeper the understanding of theatrical productions. We offer paper packet curriculum as well.

ROOTS TO SKY

This 8-week creative writing workshop summer series is for high school students to cultivate their creative voice. Exposed to the work of great artists and inspiring exercises, participants develop their own work. Each workshop includes free writing, focused writing exercises, sharing each other's writing, then closing with a word or phrase checkout. The workshop series culminates in the making of a chapbook that is a collection of pieces written by students in the workshop series.Supported by TahDah Foundation and Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture and Community Partners. We also offer this workshop tailor made for any specific school's logistical and scheduling needs at all times of the year.

ONE ON ONE CREATIVE JOURNEY

Founder and Creative Director Jesse Bliss offers private workshops where participants can dive deeply into their work, visioning a clear trajectory of the message as well as obstacles and a plan for creative execution.

I LOVE MYSELF GOLDEN

Men and women being held in incarceration participate in a workshop series. Participants are exposed to the work of great artists, inspiring/resonant exercises and games, improvisation, and commedia del arte practices. Each workshop is comprised of a large writing component including poetry and playwriting. Participants bring their writing to life using theatre.

The I LOVE MYSELF GOLDEN series culminates in the sharing of the participant's work inside the facility with peers, staff and loved ones. Cal State's Prison Project, Tia Chucha's Centro Cultural, Poets & Writers and Unlock Tomorrow are partner organizations with The Roots and Wings I LOVE MYSELF GOLDEN.

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E•CLIPSE

A workshop for female artists to further connect to, communicate with, and honor creative force.

Participant, I LOVE MYSELF GOLDEN Writing Workshop Participant, CIW Women’s Prison

"The program has genuinely impacted me in a very positive way. It has helped me look at myself, other people and the world in a different way. It has helped me discover who I am as a person. It has also helped me improve a lot mentally. Every time I am here I have a really good time. It helped me express my vulnerability and doing that makes me feel more secure. I am so grateful I am taking this class. I will definitely join next
summer."

Fanny Gallegos, ROOTS TO SKY Youth Program