Words to Speak/Words to Read

In this workshop led by Leeds based artist and writer, Joanna Jowett, we’ll address the conundrum of which words to speak and which to leave well alone.

Have you ever pondered if your text could or should be read aloud? Noticed how voicing it alters not just the encounter, but the meaning or tone

Has a poetry reading made you cringe, or an audio book made you cry? Or are you adamant the true home for your writing is solely on the page, performing quietly for each individual reader?

In this workshop, we’ll address the conundrum of which words to speak, and which to leave well alone. With creative prompts, examples and references from a variety of creative disciplines, there will be an opportunity to 'test' your own words out loud, with a small group of critical friends.

Led by Leeds based artist, writer and co-founder of COPY, Joanna Jowett, join us for a conversation that centres the question of when and how texts can or should be transformed through performance, and how do we know?

Workshop timings

• Introduce ideas/research and text around this theme (20 mins)
• Creative warm up – read a given text (everyone to read the short text aloud) (15 mins)
• Discussion of how it landed and how we all have a different style and reading voice. What are the voices/performances we like/dislike? (20 mins)
• Why read at all? Thinking about the concept, the context and the audience (examples across different disciplines of live performance vs private/solo reading) ( 30 mins)
• Testing of our own works – 2-3 minutes per workshop participant with feedback and reflection time (20 mins)
• Creating a moment – thinking about liveness and performance art. What else to consider – what does performing it aloud add or take away from the text? How much are you ‘performing’ or reading naturally? Do you read by heart, off a paper, or a phone? (15 mins)

Book your place

This workshop is free to attend. Places are limited so booking is essential.

Please book your place by emailing lucyrosecunningham@gmail.com.

Venue

Project Space
School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies
University Road
University of Leeds
Leeds LS2 9JT

AccessAble guide to the building.

More information

This workshop forms part of Words Worth Watching: The Writers' Room, an exhibition running from 28 April to 2 May at the University of Leeds.

Find out about the exhibition and wider events programme.

Feature image

Writing workshop at The Writers’ Room. Photo by Lu Rose Cunningham.