Registration is rolling until March 10 at 11:59PM EST. No application is required (except for financial aid— Applications for financial aid are due March 5 at 5PM EST).

$250 w/financial aid available to residents of Greater Philadelphia (Bucks, Camden, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia Counties)

4 week class: Sundays 12-2PM EST, March 17- April 7, 2024

Though much of the world has tried to move on, the devastating COVID-19 pandemic continues to shape our lives. This 4-week generative workshop focuses on writing the pandemic present. Open to writers of all genres interested in exploring the impact of the ongoing pandemic on their writing, this course is a supportive space for those still taking significant safety precautions. Through prompts for processing the pandemic, strategies for creating during crisis, and related readings, we will build a community of writers committed to meeting our present moment.

Justin Clarel is a Black queer writer, performer, and educator creating and uplifting vibrant stories for a better world. Their work focuses on Black LGBTQ characters, chosen families, and healing. Justin has directed and produced original theatre projects focused on Black stories, including *Rage to Heal* in the 2017 Cohen New Works Festival, *Saved You a Plate* in the Painted Bride’s 2019 Solstice Series, *Queer Cheer: A Winter Holigay Special*, and *non-linear: works-in-progress by black lgbtq artists*. Justin has performed as part of Ars Nova’s ANT Fest, OUTsider Festival, Philly Fringe, NYC Sketchfest, Dixon Place HOT! Festival, and more. They are one-fourth of the sketch comedy team The Rhubarbs and have created sketch shows with Mural Outrage and Philly Improv Theater. Justin founded The Starfruit Project, a platform highlighting creativity for healing and growth. Justin’s poetry and prose are published in *Black Youth Project*, *TAYO Literary Magazine, cavity*, *MELANINzine*, and several print anthologies. They are a 2022 Strides Collective Emerging Playwright, a 2022 Hurston/Wright Summer Screenwriting Fellow, and a two-time VONA Alum in Comedy and Screenwriting. Justin was also a 2020-2021 Core Playwright with InterAct Theatre Company, a 2020 Leeway Foundation Art and Change Grantee, and a 2016 recipient of the Acts of Greatness LGBTQ Youth Community Award. Originally from South Jersey, Justin holds an AB in Sociology from Princeton University. They are passionate about musical theatre, mangoes, and memoirs. Keep up with their adventures at theeclarel.com and @theeclarel.