Meet our Nonfiction Fellow
Lauren Childs is a second-year MFA candidate in the University of Iowa’s Nonfiction Writing Program. Before Iowa, Lauren tutored writing to high school and college students across the United States and Western Europe for over a decade. She also studied Theatre and Film Performance at The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute in New York City and is a member of the Screen Actors Guild.
Raised in Honolulu along an ancient Hawaiian fishing ground, Lauren developed a keen curiosity in her intuition and studying the natural world. Afternoons spent shell hunting with her father, snorkeling over reefs, and hiking in valleys have inspired personal essays that examine family dynamics, solitude, nature, travel and tourism. Motivated by the idea that she could tap into inspiration and imagination through the senses, she left college early to study Method Acting for two years in New York City. Her training in sense memory and embodied expression continues to inform and shape her essays, memoir writing, and teaching.
Hi hi!! I’m Whit Martinez (she/they) and I’m The Englert’s Community Engagement Coordinator. I’ve been in this position for almost two years, and I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with our two most recent nonfiction fellows, Grace Morse 24’ and Lauren Childs 25’ (we miss you, Grace). You may have heard a little bit about our fellowship in our May recap blog post. The fellowship started in 2018 and was created in partnership with the University of Iowa’s Nonfiction Writing Program to support the development of one student in the Nonfiction Writing Program each year by providing close access to The Englert’s arts programming and resources.
On a Thursday afternoon in May, nineteen students from Southeast Middle School traveled by bus to visit The Englert for “The Body Writes,” a workshop created and led by Lauren Childs. In this interactive workshop, Lauren engaged students through movement, literary tools, and writing exercises. Lauren began the workshop by reviewing the foundations of being a good writer, inspired by the poet, Jack Grapes. The workshop included activities related to Developing Your Authentic Voice, Activating Your Deep Voice, and Leaning Into Your Truth.
My personal favorite part of Lauren’s workshop was the Write Your Body’s Language Exercise. In this exercise, Lauren played a music video and encouraged students to get up out of their seats and dance or move in whatever way felt comfortable for them. After the video, she asked them to reflect on how this experience made them feel and write a personal story about a feeling or memory that the video sparked. I appreciated how Lauren used music, both visually and audibly, as a guiding tool for students to map and write their body’s reactions to the content.
In the months leading up to the workshop, Lauren, The Englert team, and I met to discuss and plan how we could effectively bring her workshop to life. In our meetings, The Englert provided feedback and guidance on the workshop structure, the planned exercises, and supplemental handouts. In one of our meetings, we thought it would be great if each student was provided a journal that they could use during the workshop and take home with them afterwards. Our Senior Development Manager, Paige, volunteered to reach out to Blick Art Materials to see if they would be willing to donate materials. They generously donated gift cards to cover the expenses of journals, pens, markers, colored pencils, stickers, and writing utensils for all of the students participating in the workshop. Lauren and I were able to visit Blick together and pick out materials a few days before the workshop. Students used these materials to design and add a personal touch to their individual journals.
Additionally, students gained tools they can use for a lifetime. For instance, they learned mindfulness grounding practices and reflection strategies to use at the beginning of their writing process. Furthermore, they were provided with additional materials and resources to read at home after the workshop to further develop their writing. We’re grateful for the opportunity to work with Lauren. This partnership aligns with the overall goals of our Community Engagement efforts as it engages and inspires our local youth with The Englert’s artistic space, programming, and community at large. The students (and I) left The Englert feeling energized and inspired by the content embedded in Lauren’s class (Amazing job, Lauren)! We’re excited about her second workshop this fall with local high school students.
