With such interactive pieces, the audience had questions for students about the process behind their creating. Each piece had been inspired by an in-class assignment. One student from Emily Harris’ class told about selecting a “boring” item from a sack and then writing about it, in this case a rock. The subsequent broadcast piece was amazingly textured, with a sensory description of a rock that the audience could virtually smell and feel as the student described it. In Nicole Georges class, students chose “weird” headlines and created a comic about them. Again, students displayed impressive creativity, building a multi-page story around a deceptively simple phrase.

It was certainly an entertaining evening for everyone involved. Many thanks to Broadway Books for hosting and to all those who came and participated!

In addition to slides of student work, there were two zines of student work distributed at the reading. Amy Gray also gave a presentation on the museum’s multimedia collection, Object Stories, and encouraged the audience to participate. Long after the applause was over, there was a buzz of excited conversation. Congrats and thanks to all those who participated!

Thanks to the Portland Art Museum for such a beautiful venue!

Cassidy narrates her comic as the audience reads along.

A supportive family!

Clint with WITS writer Laura Moulton and teacher Julie O'Neill

Another round of WITS Readings is approaching! Here’s the schedule:

Lincoln High School
Date: Thursday, May 12
Location: Portland Art Museum (1219 SW Park)
Time: 6:30 pm
Featured WITS writers: John Isaacson and Laura Moulton

Roosevelt High School
Date: Monday, May 16
Location: Girasole Pizza (8438 N. Lombard)
Time: 7:00 pm
Featured WITS writers: Carmen Bernier-Grand, Chris Cottrell and John Isaacson

Jefferson High School
Date: Wednesday, May 18
Location: Talking Drum Books/Reflections Coffee House (446 NE Killingsworth)
Time: 7:00 pm
Featured WITS Writers: Hali Felt and Joanna Rose

Marshall High School
Date: Monday, May 23
Location: Lents Commons Coffeehouse (9201 SE Foster)
Time: 7:00 pm
Featured WITS Writers: Mark Pomeroy and Donna Prinzmetal

Franklin High School
Date: Wednesday, May 25
Location: BiPartisan Cafe (7901 SE Stark)
Time: 7:00 pm
Featured WITS Writers: Angela Allen, Alexis Nelson and Donna Prinzmetal

We hope to see you there!

On last Monday night, eight buses were lining the streets around the Schnitz for our event with Wes Moore, the author of this year’s Multnomah Country Library “Everybody Reads” selection, The Other Wes Moore. In addition to speaking to 2,100 people that night, Wes Moore spent Monday morning in a classroom at Roosevelt High School recording a segment of OPB’s Think Out Loud, which you can stream or download here. I would highly recommend it. These student came prepared, having read and discussed Moore’s book, and they are tough, insightful interviewers!

Moore also spoke to an assembly of 300+ Roosevelt students who had also read and discussed his book. He spent a majority of his time onstage answering students’ questions, and afterward signed copies of students’ books–asking each student their name and spending a moment talking to them. His enthusiasm and passion is inspiring, and his book is a great catalyst for starting conversations about the roles of education, expectations, and communities in shaping young individuals.

In short, Moore’s visit to Portland was awesome. Literary Arts’ staff was incredibly pleased that every school that signed up to attend the Schnitz for the Wes Moore event brought students. (!!) Thanks to our generous sponsors, well-organized teachers, half a dozen buses, and all those who helped us create an epic community event!

So how do the storytellers prepare? During the week before, The Moth producers Sarah Austin Jenness and Maggie Cino walked three intrepid students through The Moth’s story coaching method. Students told their stories several times, while the producers offered notes to keep the telling fresh and alive. At one point, Sarah Austin Jenness explained that The Moth doesn’t memorize or use notes because these create barriers. The Moth’s producers want storytellers to relate primarily to the story and the audience, not the task of reciting something they’ve memorized.

If the results from Friday are anything to go by, this is a pretty sound method. The student storytellers enthralled their classmates with the pain of losing a parent or a home, as well as the confidence gained from sharing a powerful poem with an audience. Emcee and Portland author Jon Raymond noted that these stories, as powerful as they were, were still only three out of hundreds of stories in that one room on campus. That leaves plenty of work for next time.