From the beginning of time, writing has had the ability to empower, anger, hurt, or excite someone. Through a series of creative writing, movement, storytelling and visual art exercises, students discover the power of their own words to tell a story, change someone’s opinion or create an imaginary place. The students may also create a visual journal that uses a combination of drawing techniques, collage and word webs to brainstorm and tell different types of stories. Depending on the standards selected by the teacher and the age of the students, Arianna Ross and/or one of the Story Tapestries’ Ensemble will custom design a residency that incorporates the correct arts integration strategies for the right results with the individual students. The result may be that students write a fictional story, personal narrative, poetry, a play, or an essay. At the end, the artist will coordinate a special writers’ event where the students will either present, display or publish the writing for the community and the school to experience. One of the Story Tapestries’ Ensemble will be scheduled to execute the residency per the needs of the school.

Use this link to view a video excerpt from this program: https://drive.google.com/file/d/18XV0RI3LuShR5MHLOtu-SVdyltK1cO3D/view

Artist Background

Story Tapestries and Arianna Ross create educational, entertaining, international programs that weave the power of dance, storytelling, writing, visual art and theatre. Arianna and her ensemble uses the tools of their art forms to help youth foster a deeper connection to the subjects they’re learning and to guide educators to increase their effectiveness by incorporating arts-based strategies in their lesson plans. For 20 years they have performed and taught in schools, colleges, community centers, and concert halls. They custom design every program to fit the age and needs of the audience. They have performed for over 1 million individuals. They have executed innovative, custom-designed performances, workshops and hands-on community and educational experiences across the United States, Canada, India, Vietnam, and Brazil in festivals, concert halls, schools, community centers and hospitals. Some of those venues have included The Reach, The National Theatre Family Series, Hillwood Museum, Libraries Across the Country, Multiple Smithsonian National Museums, The Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage, East TN State University, National Storytelling Festival, National Association of the Educators of Young Children National Conference, Alternate Roots Week, American Alliance for Theatre and Education. They believe in the power of the arts to Empower, Educate and Engage.

Search Criteria

• Program Type: Writer-in-Residence
• Discipline: Dance, Literary, Storytelling
• Grade Level: Elementary, High, Middle
• Accepts bookings in Johnston County