Getting the creative mojo on
Let's say it as it is: 2020 has not been a lot of fun. I started the year with many ideas for creative (writing) projects, but when the lockdown hit, my creative juices slowly dried out. Not only was homeschooling and keeping my family fed and happy cutting into my writing time. The whole situation just drained my energy and did not leave any headspace for creative thoughts. I went weeks and then months without writing anything but meal plans and grocery lists. By the time autumn rolled around, I was desperate for some inspiration and creativity.
So when The Hamburg Players announced a series of online workshops together with the Luxemburg European Annual Theatre Summer School I did not need much convincing to sign up. There was a writing workshop with playwright Freddie Machin that I was interested in. The people I knew who had been to LEATSS were full of praise. Now here was a chance to attend from the comfort of my own home. I was hooked!
A week before the workshop, Freddie started to send out daily writing prompts as inspiration. He asked us to upload a text that we wanted to get feedback on. I loved the fact that we were completely free to choose whatever we wanted. It made for an eclectic mix: On the first weekend, we read and discussed quirky poems, the beginnings of a horror story, a whimsical children's story and a wickedly funny scene from a play, among other writings. Everyone had around half an hour to hear their writing read aloud and to get feedback from the other participants as well as from Freddie. Then we got individual 'homework' to do until the second weekend. It was incredible to see what everyone achieved in just one week. Stories were finished, new poems written, ideas for plays and short story collections developed.
It can sometimes be scary to share your work, especially if it is an early draft. But thanks to Freddie, the atmosphere was very positive and friendly. By the second weekend, it felt like being among good friends. When the workshop ended, we all wanted more of the creativity and support. We have since sent a bunch of e-mails back and forth, and I hope that we will keep in touch to share each other's work.
In the evenings, there were informal get-togethers for the participants of all workshops together. It was lovely to get to know LEATSS regulars/repeaters and newbies as well as meeting some fellow Hamburg Players I had not seen in a long time. Now I know why everyone raves about the community at LEATSS.
LEATSS on tour has been the creative highlight of my year. It has brought me back to the keyboard, and it has given me a clearer idea of where I want to take my writing. It was a joy to meet so many talented and generous people. I hope there will be more workshops to come.
So here is my (unsolicited) advice for you: Go online and find people to be creative with. Whether that is signing up for the next LEATSS on tour workshops or downloading a karaoke app, it will be worthwhile either way.
Julia Claußen
Singing and Writing Online
Once upon a time, on a dark and stormy night Dave signed up for the LEATSS writing and singing online workshops. Summer school in November, well, it’s been a strange year anyway so why not!
The singing workshop obviously had limitations with a group trying to sing together online so we all practiced with our mics on mute while ‘choir master’, Graeme guided us from his living room. It was still a worthwhile experience and the plus for me was that I could sing my little heart out without any of my colleagues having to endure it. I do get some strange looks from my neighbours now though.
Second was the writing workshop where I was pleasantly surprised to see our very own Julia Clausen joining us from Budapest. Earlier in the year I decided to try my hand at writing a children’s story, born out of an idea my daughter had about two years ago. The writing workshop therefore seemed a good idea to possibly get some feedback. Freddie from London was an excellent host and our group was a wonderful mix of people from around Europe who were all doing writing in one genre or another. The feedback was always constructive and positive, and the writing prompts given to us by Freddie provided the platform for a fun, interactive and thoroughly enjoyable two weekends. I would recommend this to anyone who has any interest in writing no matter what that writing may be. Our group was so inspired that we have vowed to keep in touch with each other and encourage us all to keep pen to paper. And they liked my story too!
Dave Earl