Speak Up: Creative Writing + Performance (Spring 2025)
Saturday, February 15 @ 3:00 pm
Saturdays, February 8 — March 22, 2025, from 3:00 p.m.—4:00 p.m. EST
Join us online for Speak Up, a teen creative writing program supporting the artistic and professional growth of teens.
In this FREE virtual creative writing workshop mini-series, teens will partner with experienced teaching artists to empower the creative writing process, from drafting to performance to publishing, to boost literacy and empower youth in Miami through community-based writing activities.
The program is open to all teens (ages 13-19) and is as free of charge as it is free of homework. No previous experience necessary!
February 15:
Instructor: Juan Vidal.
Theme: Bringing Your Whole Self to the Page, with Author Juan Vidal
In this workshop, we will explore the powerful connection between personal identity and creative expression. When it comes to creating art, there is power in embracing our unique backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Young writers will learn more about how they can infuse authenticity and depth into their craft. Through open discussions and guided exercises, attendees will be encouraged to weave their own stories, emotions, and truths into their writing, ultimately making for more compelling characters and narratives. This session will be a celebration of individuality and inspire each participant to bring their whole selves to the page.
Juan Vidal is a writer, journalist, and cultural critic, and the author of the memoir Rap Dad — which explores father-son dynamics and Latino masculinity through the lens of hip-hop culture — and the YA novel A Second Chance on Earth. He reviews books for NPR and contributes to publications such as Vibe, Esquire, Rolling Stone, and GQ. His work has also appeared in Billboard, Complex, HuffPost, and others, and has been mentioned in The New York Times.
