Program teaches medium of radio

Howard Craft, a local (from Durham) poet and playwright is the Stone Center's 'artist in residence.' He hosted the fourth writing about radio drama workshop on Wednesday. Howard wrote the first African American superhero series, which is aired on 91.5 FM radio and also podcasted online at wunc radio. The series is called the Jade City Pharaoh and tells the adventures of superhero Herald M. F. Jones (the protector of the fictitious Jade city). "It explores social issues including domestic violence, Islamophobia, the mortgage crisis, and worker's rights," said Howard. The next episode will be aired tomorrow at 12:50pm on 91.5 FM. During the workshop Howard read an excerpt from the book "We the Animals" by Justin Torres. Then he told everyone to write a dialogue where their secondary characters accuses their main character of something. Later Howard talked about the components of a scene. "I like to think of it (the scene) as a cell," he said. Howard also talked about the effects that sound can have on a radio story. "Sound effects can create place," and "sounds can enhance emotion," he explained. Two additional workshops will be held next month on March 14th and the 21st at 6:30 in the Stone Center.

An international photojournalist living in Carrboro. A boy growing up during the Cuban Revolution. An American expatriate living in Huey P. Newton’s former apartment in Cuba.

These are all characters in radio serials produced as a part of the “Stories in Air” workshops at the Sonja Haynes Stone Center.

The workshops — taught each Wednesday in February by the center’s artist-in-residence Howard Craft — were so successful that the center plans to expand the program into March.

Clarissa Goodlett, the program and public communications officer at the Stone Center, said that about 20 people attended each workshop.

“It’s a unique genre and people are definitely interested in this kind of writing,” Goodlett said.

She said the classes will continue on March 14 and 21.

Craft — a playwright, poet and creative writing teacher who wrote “The Jade City Chronicles” radio serials on WUNC — teaches students to write six-minute radio serials by a combination of lecture, radio serial listening, and writing exercises. Students write the exercises at home and present them in class the next week.

“Everyone likes to tell stories, I’m just giving them the techniques to make them better,” Craft said.

Goodlett said that the workshops have had a good mix of attendees, from UNC students and faculty to members of the surrounding community.

Melvin Lewis, a freelance writer, said he attended the workshop to learn how to improve his writing for film.

“The workshop allowed people throughout the University and the community to act and to explore ideas,” he said.

Alexander Stephens, UNC alumnus and associate director for The Jackson Center, said he learned about the workshop through his work with Fusion Youth Radio at WXYC and attended the workshop to meet Craft as a fan of his work.

“I haven’t done a whole lot of play writing, so its helped me to learn from ways of going about developing characters and developing a plot,” he said.

“The overall approach is something I haven’t been introduced to before.”

Stephens said he is interested in more experimental radio projects.

“Stories on public radio tend to be dry and don’t really engage the audience,” he said. “I want to encourage people to open themselves up to public radio again.”

Craft said radio is an important storytelling medium because it makes listeners create their own visuals.

“Nothing can play out like it can play out in your mind,” Craft said. “In radio, you give the listener the ability to create his own magic.”

Contact the Arts Editor at arts@dailytarheel.com.

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