Literary & Performing Arts   

This hands-on workshop introduces the essentials of screenwriting in a friendly, supportive environment for students who are beginning their screenwriting journey or looking to build upon the fundamentals. Over five weeks, you’ll develop your own original work from pitching your idea and crafting a synopsis to writing engaging scenes. Weekly writing exercises will strengthen your grasp of story structure, compelling character development, authentic dialogue, and writing action and imagery. In class, we’ll share work, exchange constructive feedback, and watch and analyze film clips that highlight key elements of powerful visual storytelling. Whether crafting a feature-length screenplay, TV pilot, or a two-minute short, you’ll explore the core mechanics of strong screenwriting, learn proper script formatting, and begin building your own screenwriting portfolio. This course is ideal for those who are seeking structure, accountability, and community in their screenwriting practice.

Do you have bits and pieces of stories or ideas written on napkins, sticky notes, index cards, and journals--or even a book in the works? This class will help you put all of your ideas together and shape them into a well-written piece. In a writing workshop style, we will gather each week, share stories, and find ways to improve and move them along. So bring in your work(s) and let's start to shape and bring to life the story you have been envisioning.

Everyone has a story worth telling—and the power to tell it well. In this dynamic, in-person, four-part workshop, you’ll learn to bring your personal stories to life with clarity and confidence and to find your authentic voice.

In a warm, encouraging environment, participants will practice simple relaxation and grounding techniques to ease anxiety and share personal stories. Using storytelling prompts, you'll get help bringing forth the best of your own tale. You'll receive a creative critique from "the Hudson Valley's master storyteller." Further, there will be supportive peer feedback to strengthen your delivery skills and help you become more comfortable speaking in front of others.

By the end of the course, you’ll know how to shape a compelling personal tale, overcome common fears, stay focused, and adapt with ease. Most importantly, you’ll leave truly connected to your voice—and ready to share your stories with joy.

By the end of 1966, the world of music was undergoing a dramatic transformation. What had once been known as "rock and roll" was now simply called "rock," and the genre was branching out in exciting new directions. Bands were experimenting with sound, giving rise to subgenres like folk-rock, psychedelic rock, blues-rock, and hard rock. Supergroups such as Cream, Led Zeppelin, and Crosby, Stills & Nash began to dominate the scene, captivating audiences with their innovative styles. The years that followed, from 1967 to 1971, marked an era of extraordinary creativity. Artists like The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Joni Mitchell, and Bob Dylan pushed the boundaries of what rock music could be, introducing listeners to progressive rock, funk rock, and country rock. Each new sound reflected the spirit of the times—restless, imaginative, and eager to break free from tradition. This class invites you to step into the pivotal year of 1967, a turning point in rock history. Together, we’ll explore how the innovations and experiments of these years set the stage for what many consider to be the greatest moment in rock: the legendary year of 1971.

This class will explore the complexity and genius of Gene Hackman. Whether playing morally gray policemen, quiet outsiders, or explosive villains, he brought an unmatched intensity to every role. This session explores Hackman’s extraordinary body of work, from The French Connection and The Conversation to Hoosiers, Unforgiven, and even his unexpected comedic roles. Through curated film clips, historical context, and guided class discussion, we’ll unpack how Hackman broke leading-man conventions, how his performances reflect the anxieties of 1970s American cinema, and why he remains one of the industry’s most respected actors.