We offer free evening and weekend workshops designed to foster creativity, strengthen writing skills, and provide students with a forum for executing projects they might not otherwise have the support to undertake. Workshops range from the playful to the practical, and all are taught by volunteer writers, artists, educators, and publishing professionals.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to increased demand, enrollment for workshops are now determined by lottery. Once you have signed up for a workshop, please look for an email from workshops@826nyc.org, verifying that we have received your request. If you have not heard from us after 48 hours, feel free to call.
Our workshops are limited enrollment and often generate wait lists. With this in mind, please only sign up if you can make every session of a workshop. Thank you!
A Greek Chorus Line, Or How to Produce an Original Greek Tragedy
4 Wednesday sessions: November 28, December 5, 12, 19
6-8pm
Taught by Drew Cohen and Scott Seeley
For ages 11-14
Has your life ever taken a dramatic turn for the worst? (Have you ever caused a plague?) We all make mistakes, and sometimes the consequences can be big. Really big. In ancient Greece, theatergoers went wild for stories about men and women making enormous mistakes, and as a result suffering enormous reversals of fortune. But why let the Greeks have all the fun? In this workshop, we’ll look to the ancients—and to a few moderns—for advice about which ingredients make for the most tragic circumstances, ensuring that ours will be the most tragic tragedy yet!
Please note: This workshop will end with a performance, which will be scheduled once the class begins.
Become a Superhero
3 Sunday sessions: November 18, 25, December 2 (2007)
12-1:30pm
Taught by Lauren Weiner
For ages 6-9
Have you ever wanted to fly? Or wished you could change the world just by snapping your fingers? It's time to discover your own superpowers through art, movement, and storytelling. Over three sessions, students will create a superhero character and write his or her autobiography...
The Encyclopedia of Imaginary Disorders and Oddities
3 Tuesday sessions: November 13, 20, 27 (2007)
6-8pm
Taught by Elizabeth Bachner and Krista Ingebretson
For ages 9-12
Who writes the encyclopedia? In this workshop, you do! You are the expert on how many legs you grow when you contract superlignumotis. Or what a person deep in the throes of trepolucholis will see. Or in what shape the root of the deadly Varinis horrendi grows. Come with a head full of strangeness and an analytic pen.
The Laboratory of Mad Monster Science
2 Tuesday sessions: October 23, 30 (2007)
6-7pm
Taught by Shea Lord Farmer and Chris Roberti
For ages 6-9
Ever wondered how Dr. Frankenstein learned to make monsters in his basement? Do you spend sleepless nights imagining how you might one day create an awesomely terrifying creature of your own? Would you like to be remembered by future societies as an evil genius? Well, join the exclusive Laboratory of Mad Monster Science for a workshop in creature creation. We will address: robotics, ghost powers, flesh de- and re-composition, werewolves, werehorses, weregators, voice control, mind control and many more monsterly topics. We will make a recipe book for monsters and then bring them to life in words and pictures.
Secret Agent Training
3 Sunday sessions: October 21, 28, November 4 (2007)
12-1.30pm
Taught by Elaine Palucki
For ages 6-9
Have you ever wished you could write messages that your parents couldn't read? Send your brother or sister on a secret mission? Break codes used by other people? If so, secret agent training is for you!   In this workshop you will learn the how to create your own personal secret code and will devise a secret mission. Only the most sneaky and stealthy should apply. Alias required.
How We Roll: Role-Playing
5 Monday sessions: October 15, 22, 29, November 5, 12 (2007)
6-8pm
Taught by 826NYC
For ages 10-14
Help Wanted: Intrepid adventurers needed for quest through mysterious tower. Applicants must be motivated self-starters with some skill in magic, sword-fighting, or thieving arts (or some combination of the above). Although the salary is less-than-desirable, you are allowed to take home any gold and/or magical artifacts you may find during your time here. Vivid imaginations a must. We are not responsible for any loss of life, limb, or sanity. Non-humans are welcome to apply, though shiftless gnomes will be considered on a case by case basis.
The rest of the story is up to you.
