Molly Carden (she/her): is an actor, writer, and teaching artist, based in New York City. As a teaching artist, Molly has taught Theater at Fordham University, Creative Writing workshops at Cornell University, Acting and Playwriting to children at P.S. 58 and P.S. 111, and worked closely with the 52nd Street Project for over a decade, helping children write and act in their own original plays. As an actress, Molly has performed Off-Broadway at the Signature Theater, Primary Stages, Ensemble Studio Theater, Colt Coeur, NYSAF Powerhouse and more. She has performed regionally at theaters such as the Denver Center, Alley Theater, Berkeley Rep, Studio Theater, and George Street Playhouse. Film includes Thunderbolts (Marvel) and Motherland (MPI Choice Films). Molly has spent the last few years developing her autobiographical solo show, I Came Back For Molly, which she has performed at New York Stage and Film, the TANK, Durango Playfest, and on Theater Row. The show deals in themes of mental illness and suicidality, which Molly is always looking for new and exciting ways to talk about!
Autobiographical Storytelling: Free-writing Practice as a Portal to Self-Proclamation with Molly Carden
Begins Sunday, November 9th
We will embark on a deep exploration of free-writing practice, as a way of authentically accessing the stories inside us that need to be told. We will use writing as a tool to drop below discursive thinking and gain access to our subconscious, where we will become intimately acquainted with our own minds. Using a variety of writing exercises and prompts, we will engage in free-writing practice in community, where we will have the opportunity to see and be seen by our fellow artists.
We will then take the raw material generated through free-writing practice and craft it into a piece of autobiographical storytelling, whether it be a piece of theater, a novel, short story, poetry, or something else. The idea is to connect with our original impulse in its most authentic form, and shape something that speaks to who we are. We are writing ourselves into existence.
WHEN and HOW: This collaboration will run for five weeks meeting on Zoom.
DATES: Five Sundays beginning November 9th at 1pm EST/10am PST.
11/9, 11/16, 11/23, 11/30, 12/7, 12/14,
Classes run Sundays 1-3:30pm EST/10am-12:30pm PST
COST: $300-500 (sliding scale—please read below)
Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Suggested Cost:
To create intentional space and support for BIPOC attendees, we ask that you pay in light of your financial privileges and with a JEDI spirit (!)
Here are a few guidelines:
$500 – you have reliable sources of food, shelter, and transportation; are employed or financially secure; have regular access to healthcare and savings; can spend recreationally at your discretion (e.g. enjoy a concert, new clothes, a great meal). Paying the full amount also means you are able to support a BIPOC with limited resources who would like to join this course.
$400– you have debt that sometimes compromises stability with food, shelter, and/or transportation; are employed; have some access to healthcare and savings; can spend recreationally.
$300 – you are under- or unemployed and/or for other reasons (e.g. healthcare, shelter expenses), you have very limited resources.
Contact us anya@weareurbanhaiku.com if you cannot afford to pay full price but would like to discuss payment plans, work-exchange/trade opportunities, or other options.