LA Writers Center

I’ve posted here many times on the art of procrastination, the struggle to write clashing with the desire to tell stories. When I decided to go freelance last year, at the top of my to-do list was take a class with Che’Rae Adams and the LA Writers Center.

Everyone who has taken her class encouraged me to do it, and it wasn’t until last March that the timing was right. I had a new play actually out of my head and onto the page, with a workshop at The Indy Convergence coming up.

I have to say, everyone was right. Che’Rae explained how she started teaching, where her strengths lie and some basics on how the class runs. She usually starts with teaching us something tangible to help fix problems we’ve either encountered or will encounter soon. She approaches the process as a dramaturg and director who spent much of her early career in the rehearsal room watching directors and playwrights work together. She adjusts the approach and feedback to fit the story you want to tell, not the story anyone else thinks you should tell.

Referring to my characters in MYTHistory as “opera characters,” Che’Rae’s assistance through every step of my process showed me how to continue finding my voice, to adhere to playwrighting rules when needed but also know when to break them.

Robert Negron & Christina Aimerito in MYTHistory

That sinking feeling in your gut before hearing your words out loud? Those chills of fear before sitting down at a table or computer before any words come out? Neither one of those goes away, but Che’Rae’s class encouraged me to pass out my pages sooner and without apology, and got me past the fear to find the words and let them out of me. Now, it’s the sheer fear and exhilaration of hearing your words spoken out loud every week that keeps me writing instead of frightening me away.

Che’Rae starts a 1-person show Boot Camp next week. Dust off that script lurking in Your Documents, even (especially)  if not finished, and sign up. She keeps her classes small and inexpensive. It’s totally worth it!