Students often struggle with the writing process because they don’t see a connection between the spoken and written word.

In this residency, students discover their writing voice through improvisation and learn that writing is as easy speaking their minds.

Published author and improv comedian Chris Espinosa shows young writers how improvisational theater and comedy can sharpen their creativity, develop their critical thinking skills, and inspire them to put pencil to paper.

When students can think on their feet, they can write more in their seats!

TEKS addressed in this residency

Students won't spend much time in their seats.
During the first four days, they will be on their feet improvising scenes, acting out their ideas, and creatively collaborating as they transform their personal narratives or expository essay into a monologue or group skit. The fifth day is SHOW TIME! Students will stand up and stand out as they "take the stage" and perform.

Day 1: Expository Essay vs. Personal Narrative (Understanding the Difference)

Day 2: The Middle (The Why of Expository/The What Happened in Narrative)

Day 3: Introductions that Ignite Interest

Day 4: Satisfying Conclusions

Day 5: Students share their writing as a performance

The students will know:

• The importance of all three parts of an expository essay (introduction, body, and conclusion) or of a narrative (begining, middle, and end).

• The connection between the writing process and performances: (1) plan/draft, (2) develop, and (3) revise.

• The easiest way to start the writing process is to write down what they say.

The students will be able to:

• Use improv theater skills to develop their ideas, critical thinking skills, and voice (on the page and on the stage).

• Write a rough draft for an expository essay (introduction, body, and conclusion) or a narrative (beginning, middel, and end).

• Express themselves as they perform the expository essay (or narrative as a theatrical skit.

The students will appreciate:

• The joy of creating and writing a theatrical piece for performing.

• How improvisational theater can help them be better writers.

• The connection between the spoken and written word.