Storme
Webber’s Improbable Beautiful
Red Eagle Soaring Native Youth Theater
1. How long have you been a teaching artist?
All
my life. Professionally, over the past twenty years.
2. What discipline(s) do you teach?
Primarily
creative writing/poetry - from an interdisciplinary place incorporating visual
art, music, movement, meditation & performance.
3. Describe the setting(s) in which you teach.
University
of Washington -Young Writers Workshop- middle school summer camp 2 week
sessions.
Arts
Corps. - After school at low-income housing developments. Also at secure facilities
for youth involved with juvenile justice system.
Prisons-
men’s and women’s.
1.
Hedge brook –
women writers retreat on Whidbey Island
2.
Vashon Island
Poetry Festival
3.
Chuckanut
Writers Conference
4.
NYC public
schools
5.
NYC shelters
Varies…
4. What funding source(s) support you as a teaching
artist?
nonprofits,
barter, grants, scholarships and patrons of the arts.
5.
Who shaped your initial thinking about teaching
art?
The
experience of being saved by art as a child.
6. Describe the relationship between your personal art
practice and your art teaching?
Ideally
in synch, expressing the powerful transformative nature of art.
7. How
has your training and/or
other life experiences benefited your teaching?
Immeasurably,
by telling & showing me how
mighty creativity is.
8.
What are the biggest challenges you face as a teaching artist?
Financial
support.
9.
What are the unexpected rewards of being a teaching artist?
Inspiration
in seeing others especially youth & elders empowered & inspired.
10.
What advice do you have for other artists interested in teaching?
Training
is helpful, and community with other teaching artists.
11. What is your hope for
the future of arts education?
I
hope that it is expanded & placed everywhere that education is, and that it
is funded so that TA s will be fairly paid (min $50/hr)
Please share one anecdote of a
memorable Teaching Artist experience.
Seeing
someone who seemed impervious to the very idea of creative effort, catch ahold
of an impetus, write some truth about their life, and be subtly amazed.
*About the photo:
This was an outstandingly wonderful experience- I also co
directed, chose music & dramaturged, & dressed the cast in period
wardrobe.
The challenge was to imbue them with the revolutionary spirit of
the 60s. This occupation followed Alcatraz & was inspired by the emerging
AIM activism. In the end it happened, and the play debuted at Daybreak Star
itself- the cultural center created by what happened in the play! on Palm
Sunday. Resurrection City was the name given to the encampment. Several elder
activists were present and appreciated the work. For me it was a powerful
affirmation of the transformative nature of storytelling and activist history.
Truly a highlight of the journey thus far.
https://www.facebook.com/Red.Eagle.Soaring?fref=ts
I just returned from www.michfest.com where I performed & debuted my new CD of poetry/ stories & vocals called "Blues Divine". Available from me: storme.webber@goddard.edu
I just returned from www.michfest.com where I performed & debuted my new CD of poetry/ stories & vocals called "Blues Divine". Available from me: storme.webber@goddard.edu
