“Up Next” is The Voices and Faces Project’s immersive, two-day testimonial writing workshop for alums of our "Stories We Tell" program. This workshop was developed for survivors or witnesses to gender-based violence or other human rights violations who are now actively engaged in the process of bringing their stories into the public arena.

As in the original "The Stories We Tell" format, participants will discuss selected examples of testimonial writing that model best practices in storytelling. They will also do creative work in response to real-time writing exercises. We provide examples in multiple genres, including poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, memoir, spoken word, playwriting, and speechwriting, and encourage work in all these areas. But for this workshop we also ask that participants focus on a longer piece of in-progress testimonial work and continue to build that piece through various exercises and free-writes during the weekend. A substantial portion of “Up Next” will be devoted to workshops, with robust conversation about shaping the direction of particular pieces, and all participants will have the opportunity to present and get feedback on new work.

We believe that writing in community strengthens our individual voices and keeps us mindful of the collective work of testimony. Our trauma-informed creative writing instructor and workshop facilitator will again work to foster a supportive community even as we encourage participants as a group to provide deeper critical and constructive feedback on work presented. We encourage the creativity of all participants, leading them to find new sources of personal and political power within themselves. We help workshop participants think strategically about story and how they can most effectively carry forward their work of witness. And we do so ever mindful of the goal of fostering a community of activists, bravely going public with their stories to create the just world we all envision.

Regarding the fee and scholarship structure: Unlike our "Stories We Tell" program – in which all accepted applicants are fully scholarshipped – "Up Next" is a fee-based workshop with a tuition of $500. Needs-based scholarships are available on a limited basis for accepted applicants. NOTE: Ability to pay will not impact application decisions. Scholarships will be awarded to eligible applicants upon acceptance. Please email janet@voicesandfaces.org with any questions.