The Office of Educational Outreach and the School of Film, Media & Theatre are thrilled to announce the inaugural Shirlene Holmes Writers Workshop and Tribute Event on Saturday, February 8. The writer’s workshop will be from 1:00-5:30 p.m., with a reception beginning at 5:45 p.m. and the tribute following from 7:00-9:00 p.m. in Dalhberg Hall.
This one-day workshop and tribute event will bring together screenwriters, playwrights and industry professionals for an interactive workshop featuring engaging writing exercises and creative prompts. Participants will share their work with peers and professionals and receive constructive feedback to help refine their craft. The workshop will begin with a panel discussion and Q&A, and breakout group discussions.
The discussions will be led by writer, editor and publisher Kelundra Smith and by writer, producer and educator Susan Sojourner-Collier. Freddie Hendrick, a Tony-nominated artist and Georgia Theater Hall of Famer will direct the Stage Reading. The tribute will include performances selected from her most popular short works, such as “Butch and Femmie,” “Sister Liberty,” “Some Bodies” and “The Sacrifice,” among others. Georgia State University Film, Media & Theatre students will be cast to perform these works. Guest speakers, including former students of Dr. Holmes and alumni of Georgia State, will share their experiences and memories of Dr. Holmes.
Amy Reid, Interim Director from the Office of Educational Outreach, shares, “We are thrilled to present the inaugural Shirlene Holmes Writers Workshop and Tribute at Georgia State. Dr. Holmes left a rich legacy of written works and a remarkable group of students who have flourished as writers and in the film and theater industry. We are honored to remember her and continue mentoring the next generation of film and theater students through this workshop.”
A playwright, poet, scholar, performer and speaker, Dr. Shirlene Holmes was an artist in every sense of the word. During her three decades at Georgia State University, she wrote, directed and performed solo dramas, plays and other theatrical forms staged locally, nationally and internationally. The numerous awards and recognitions she received include the Carbondale Chapter of the NAACP Image Award in the Arts (1989), the Appreciation Award from the Black Togetherness Organization at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale (1991), the Nancy Dean Distinguished Playwright Award from Sisters Onstage (1997), and the Lorraine Hansberry Scriptwriting Award from the Literary Exchange (2000).
Mary Emily Deal, Senior Academic Professional and Associate Director at the School of Film, Media & Theatre, shares, “Dr. Shirlene Holmes was a greatly admired and influential writer and teacher. She was a Creative Placemaker at Georgia State, especially for those who have been marginalized. We have created this writer’s workshop and tribute to honor and continue her legacy of encouraging actors and writers to share their work and themselves.”
The workshop/tribute is $50 for the public, and $30 for current Georgia State students/staff/faculty. Registration closes on February 5. The tribute is free and open to the public. For more information and registration for the workshops and tribute, please visit the workshop website.
For event inquiries, please contact the Director of Educational Outreach, Amy Reid, at [email protected].