Lisa Bemish, left, instructs painters at a “Tea & Canvas” event July 30 at the Warsaw Community Public Library. The next “Tea & Canvas” will be Monday, Sept. 23. The cost is $15, and registration begins Thursday, Sept. 5. Photo provided by Warsaw Community Public Library.

By Dana McAfee
Event Coordinator
Warsaw Community Public Library

WARSAW — Two new programs for adults are coming to the Warsaw Community Public Library in August, and we are excited to share them with you. We hope you are ready to show off your creative side.

At 5:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 19, we will be offering a Reader’s Theatre Workshop. Reader’s Theatre is a performance avenue that was very popular in the ’80s and ’90s and is a cross between narrating and acting, with an emphasis on the story. Narrators will use a trimmed-down version of a short story and read it aloud to the other people in the workshop. The narration is vivid and exciting, and the characters are given different voices by the reader. Each character will have a point on the wall for reference when the voices change. There is no memorization used, but familiarization is key as the reader holds the book throughout. This is an excellent opportunity to explore the performing arts and use creativity without pressure. Reader’s Theatre can be a wonderful use for reading to children or combined with another event as entertainment. It also serves as a good vocal exercise for anyone interested in voicing animation or using their voice in any creative context.

At 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 27, we will be offering a Creative Writing Club. Our first meeting will discuss the organization of the club and the interests of the attendees. There will be a brief discussion on basic writing techniques for different styles, and we will choose the first style to focus on for the next meeting. Possible styles will be poetry, short stories and skits/plays. Other suggestions will be welcomed. Those attending will be asked to bring a sample of something they have written to read aloud, but this will not be a requirement. All backgrounds and experience levels are invited to attend and take part. If you have always wanted to try creative writing, or just dabble, this is for you.

Both events require registration at the library in person or by phone, but there is no cost for either event. We hope you will join us for these fun, new adventures.