The latest iteration of the local creative writing mentorship nonprofit, WriteGirl’s annual Lights, Camera, WriteGirl! event was a total success! It was an immersive night, hosted by Gilmore Girls’ Lauren Graham, where scenes written by young female writers were put into acclaimed actors hands to perform. Stars such as Seth Rogen, Wayne Brady, Kirby Howell-Baptiste (of The Good Place and Barry, two of my favorite shows!), breathed life into scenes written by remarkable writers in the making. You would have been willing to stand in the cold outside of the Linwood Dunn Theater in Hollywood, waiting for a chance to see the show. Fortunately, I didn’t have to do such a thing since I volunteered my time to help the event run as smoothly as planned. 

The Fantastic Live Performances

Laughter seemed to constantly fill the theater from the sharp humor of well-written scenes. It was a genuinely entertaining show with slice-of-life scenes, mediations on abuse, growing up with health challenges, and even the recent college admission scandal. Each piece was timely and expressive of the inner voice these girls carry. Not only was the night meant to be fun, but it also offered the young writers in attendance constructive feedback on their work by a review of working female screenwriters. This years panel of screenwriters included: Josann McGibbon (Descendants), Clare Sera (Smallfoot, Blended), Nkechi Okoro Carroll (Bones), Lisa Cholodenko (The Kids Are All Right) and more.

The actors shaped the voices of dynamic characters or painted adventurous or dreary office moments. Kirby played a restless dragon slayer, an aloof mom who propelled her daughter into a college she wasn’t qualified for, and even a woman simply asking for a coconut cream pie that was seemingly impossible to make. Seth Rogen acted in 7 of the 14 scenes, playing a guy seeking his perfect match through online dating, and a KPop star-to-be. This was one of the funniest predicaments of the night, as Rogen told the audience, “Don’t ‘Scarlett Johansson’ me, I didn’t ask for this! They gave me the role, I didn’t jockey for it or anything.” I was dying laughing!

Seth Rogen also told The Hollywood Reporter that participating with WriteGirl was meaningful to him because he “started writing when I was 13 years old; I still write with the person [partner Evan Goldberg] I started writing with then. I was a writer on a TV show when I was 18, so I personally believe that young people of any age, if encouraged, can really create good work. I think with young women especially, obviously with the way our world works, the more support and help, the better.”

Volunteering at Lights, Camera, WriteGirl!

Lights, Camera, WriteGirl! is one of the best events the writing mentorship holds every year. It’s a benefit to support the nonprofit organization including a cocktail reception, a silent auction, and of course, the performance of 14 amazing scenes. WriteGirl truly knows how to put on an event through impeccable organization. I was involved in the program for a good four years in high school and Lights, Camera, WriteGirl! was definitely one of my favorite events to be a part of.

This time around I went as an alum, appreciating both sides of the event as a backstage volunteer and audience member. I assisted with arranging flowers, welcoming guests, and any other tasks the staff needed. I loved seeing every dedicated volunteer and staff member show up ready to work and make the show a success. Founder Keren Taylor, Managing Director Katie Geyer, and all the staff are reminders of how powerful women are when they form a collective, supporting one another.

More About WriteGirl

To anyone who asked that night, I told them WriteGirl definitely opened my eyes to different genres and careers. The program instilled within me a love for writing in any capacity. Although I knew I wanted to write, I didn’t know I could really be a professional writer until WriteGirl. Their weekend workshops ranged from poetry, songwriting, journalism and, of course, the screenwriting workshop. 

WriteGirl has been in operation for nearly 18 years, helping inner-city girls express their voices by crafting stories and piecing words together in a way only they know how.  The program was even recognized by Michelle Obama for their incredible work in girls mentorship and college advancement. They produce anthologies filled with poetry, prose and more created by the girls in the workshops and beyond. I was first published in their anthologies! The event they held this past Saturday was a delight for writes themselves and the audience in attendance. I know for sure the thrill and surrealness of that moment when your piece is read and it’s more than what you could have ever expected.

I’m overjoyed that WriteGirl is thriving and receiving the notoriety they deserve. The program does vital work in Los Angeles and I’m grateful to have supported them this weekend. Learn about how you can get involved with WriteGirl by visiting their website!

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Best,

Kai