Amy Gascon, a local improviser and sketch comedy writer, will lead a workshop at the
Grand Rapids Creative Youth Center (CYC) this June. Gascon said students can expect a very interactive experience, with plenty of physical activity and collaborative writing to get the creativity flowing.
The CYC is a local nonprofit organization that provides creative writing and after school programs for students living in the greater Grand Rapids area. The June Sketch Writing Workshop is open to students entering fourth through sixth grade and will be held at the CYC’s space (413 Eastern Ave. SE). The workshop runs Mon–Thurs, June 15–18 and Mon–Thurs, June 22–25 from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. Registration is open until Monday, June 8 on the CYC’s
website.
During the workshop, Gascon will lead the students in creating their own short scenes. Local actors will perform the scenes at
Wealthy Theatre in October. A few years ago, Gascon attended comedy classes at
The Second City Training Center in Chicago and has since been performing with comedy groups in Grand Rapids. Although improv has been relatively new to Gascon’s life, she has always been an avid writer and Gascon recalls sharing a story she wrote with her fourth grade teacher.
“I wrote this story thinking it wasn’t particularly funny, but my teacher was cracking up,” she said. “That's when I knew I had a knack for telling stories.”
After working with adults for the past few years, Gascon is excited to work on comedy with kids.
“Kids have a sense of play that a lot of adults have lost along the way,” she said. “I see myself in young students because like them, I was an avid writer from a young age.”
She offers her own piece of advice to any aspiring writers and actors.
“Create content even if you’re unsure of your audience or if you think it won’t be worthwhile.” As a former teacher once told her, “the stakes have never been lower.”
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