Designed to boost black female voices on both sides of the camera, Words Caught in My Throat provides an opportunity for African American girls to view and discuss films featuring girls and women of color, discuss the way identity is portrayed in film, and recognize their potential as storytellers. Taking place on three Saturdays, October 27, November 3 and November 10 at the Belcourt Theatre, girls will engage in creative writing exercises that result in personal narrative poems. A black female film crew will be on hand to capture footage of the girls performing their poems, which will later be used in a short film.
Sat, Oct 27, 10am-1pm: Students screen and discuss short films and follow with a creative writing exercise
Sat, Nov 3, 10am-1pm: Students use their writing exercise to create personal poems
Sat, Nov 10, 10am-1pm: Students perform poems on camera and observe the production process
Participation is free, but girls must complete an application to be selected. Applications are due Wed, Oct 17. Attendance is limited to 15 girls. The seminar is designed to be taken in its entirety—i.e. no single sessions.
The seminar is led by Melissa Gordon, Metro Nashville Public Schools Office of Restorative Practices, and Allison Inman, Belcourt Theatre, and made possible with support for the Highlander Education and Research Center’s We Shall Overcome Fund. Meleisha J. Edwards will lead the film crew.
