STARLIGHT MASTERCLASS: Storytelling & Youth Arts Programming with Fronzo Gilkey

Every great performance begins with a story. Whether you’re creating for the stage, writing a script, or dreaming of bringing your work into schools, this workshop will help you turn your ideas into meaningful experiences that connect with audiences of all ages. In the first half of the workshop, you’ll explore the foundations of theatrical storytelling, learning how to craft compelling narratives through words, movement, and imagery. Together we’ll dive into story structure, character development, script formatting, and the tools that help bring a story from first idea to finished performance. Then we’ll shift our focus to youth arts education, exploring how artists can build programs that inspire the next generation. You’ll learn practical strategies for developing curriculum, creating educational offerings, partnering with schools, writing project proposals, and organizing the logistics needed to bring arts programming into educational spaces. Whether you’re an actor, writer, educator, or multidisciplinary artist, you’ll leave with practical tools to strengthen your storytelling and expand the ways you share your creativity with the world. Topics include: * Story structure * Character development * Script writing and formatting * Finding the heart of your story * Curriculum development * Building youth arts programming * Partnering with schools * Project proposals and educational resources * Organizing and managing arts education programs