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The Power of Student Voice Amplified Through Performance

The Paramount Story Wranglers are a group of teaching artists, actors, and musicians that teach creative writing workshops to more than 1000 elementary school students each year. After each seven-week creative writing residency, the Paramount Story Wranglers perform a live sketch-comedy, musical variety show based on participants’ stories that the entire school community is invited to watch. Upon completion, students who go through the program score higher on their standardized tests, exhibit increased self-efficacy, and generally attend/enjoy school more than students who do not. This is in no small part due to the fact that the Story Wrangler program is deeply rooted in student voice. Participants get to write about what they find interesting, funny, or clever. And when professional actors validate their ideas and creativity through a performance for their peers, students can’t help but feel like their voices matter in their schools. Join us as we share some of our favorite stories of the school year, and peek behind the scenes at the process of writing these original narratives that always keeps student voice at the center.

Programming descriptions are generated by participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of SXSW.

photo of Mitch Harris
Mitch Harris

Paramount Theater

photo of Sarah McDonald
Sarah McDonald

Paramount Theatre

photo of Katie Moore
Katie Moore

Paramount Theater

photo of Ammon Taylor
Ammon Taylor

Paramount Theater