This workshop is designed for solo artists & storytellers, actors, playwrights and lovers of words of all levels – who want to work on the development of a one-person show or story for the stage. The class will focus on: 1. Cultivating your unique style and the voice of your story. 2- Rubrics for creating the world of the play. The universal truth, inciting incident and quest. 3- Designing structure, development of plot, characters and techniques to manipulate storyteller/audience relationship. This can include work at any stage of development from an idea to a finished piece. Each week offers an opportunity to develop material, class exercises and time to work individually to get personalized coaching with the goal of getting your work in the world. I am here to be your cheerleader and vision keeper. Bring your ideas, an open mind and your a sense of adventure!

Arlene Malinowski has been performing and teaching Solo & Story for over 25 years. Her award-winning solo works have been performed throughout the US and internationally. She views her solo work as an artistic expression of her social justice work in the area of Deafness and disability. Her plays include, A Little Bit Not Normal, Full Disclosure, Aiming for Sainthood, What Does the Sun Sound Like, Interrobang and It’s Whampo, Time. She is the recipient of 3Arts/UIC fellowship, LA Ovations award, LA Garland Award. Finalist in New Plays from Heartland, semi-finalist Blue Ink award, and the O’Neil. As an actor and storyteller, she has performed on stages in LA and Chicago including Goodman, Steppenwolf and Victory Gardens. She has taught at College of the Canyons and Master-classes nationwide. She is a Resident Playwright at Chicago Dramatists where she’s developed the Solo & Story curriculum.