Sean’s Workshop Modules

TOOLS: Theatricality Workshop Series

“TOOLS” is a workshop series for playwrights curious about theatricality—the unique magic of theatre that invites audiences to “believe” what they see on stage is true-to-life, even while knowing it's not real (to an extent). Each session dives into a specific element of this conceptual spell, blending discussion, hands-on activities, performance, and experimentation.

Through this series, participants expand their toolkit and experiment with a wide range of theatrical elements and strategies.

These workshops are open to playwrights, directors, dramaturgs, and theatre makers of all experience levels who are engaged with, or curious about, craft and live performance. Prior writing experience is encouraged but not required.

Workshop Offerings:
- Affective Stage Directions
- Magic Props
- Theatrical Truth
- Illusions & Tricks
- Theatrical Boundaries
- Theatrical Shapes

Past Participants Include:
- Centre 42
- Main Tulis Group

Writing Without Boundaries

An exploration of creative writing and playwrights as tools for discovering and expressing identity. Through guided prompts and dedicated writing time, participants will generate new work and experiment with fresh ways of sharing it within the group.

Open to writers of all backgrounds and experience levels.

Past Participants Include:
- Hawai’i Department of Education
- University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
- Ka Waiwai Collective
- East-West Center

TRHT Narrative Design Workshops

“TRHT Narrative Design Workshops” utilize playwriting as a process to help participants imagine and practice how they can more authentically convey their complex narratives. This hybrid artistic process involves the writing of our stories in relationship to self, each other, and ʻāina, which then layers in elements of acting, directing, and the other aspects of dramatic storytelling.

Through this series, we share and embody the stories of our community, “performing” both our own and one another’s authentic, truthful identities.

These workshops are for practitioners working within Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation™ (TRHT) frameworks, restorative justice methodologies, and IDEA practices, as well as facilitators of Rx Racial Healing® Circles / Pilina Circles.

Workshop Offerings:
- Writing and ‘Guided Prompts’
- Memory and ‘Moment Work’
- Dialogue and ‘Burst Writing’
- Narrative and ‘Moment Monologues’
- Character ‘Repetition Exercise’
- Truth and ‘Identity Performance’

Past Participants Include:
- UH Mānoa Native Hawaiian Place of Learning Advancement Office
- Culture of Health Leadership Institute for Racial Healing

Story Sharing and Radical Listening

This workshop offers innovative techniques for writing and speaking your mo‘olelo (story) aloud, with a focus on narratives that explore your experiences of home. Participants will practice both the sharing of their own stories and the deep, attentive listening of others.

No prior writing or performance experience is required.

Past Participants Include:
- Henry Luce Foundation (Luce Scholarship Program)
- Hawai'i Ku'u Home Aloha Summit
- Ala Wai Watershed Collaboration
- Hawai’i Green Growth

Not Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes! Workshops can be designed to meet the needs of your community, whether you’re an organization, collective, or classroom. Together, you and Sean will determine the session's focus so that he can develop activities and strategies that align with your specific goals. These workshops often center on storytelling, theatricality, collaborative process, racial equity, and/or restorative justice, but can also branch into areas like narrative development, cross-cultural dialogue, or community story-sharing. Sessions can be a one-time workshop, a recurring series, or part of a larger program.

  • Yes! Sean offers one-on-one dramaturgical support for playwrights and screenwriters at any stage of the writing process. Services include script notes, feedback on drafts, development strategizing, research suggestions, and meetings to discuss the work and the process.

  • Well… sure? If you want him!

    Previous Speaking Engagements Include:
    - Esri, “ArcGIS StoryMaps Live: Queer StoryMapping”
    - LMDA, “Hawai’i Living in the Current Theatre Landscape, Thriving in the Future Theatre Landscape”
    - Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, “Implementing Anti-Racist Work in Our Organizations and Communities”
    - Matsunaga Institute for Peace, “The Intersection of Peacebuilding and Storytelling”

  • Depending on your location, workshops can take place in-person, virtually, or in a hybrid format.

  • Typically, a single workshop lasts three hours. However, this time can be shortened or lengthened depending on the needs of the organization. Workshop series usually contain six workshops over the course of six weeks or six intensive days. The total number of hours ranges from 15-30 hours per series.

  • Individual Dramaturgical Support: $50/hour
    Non-Profits & Theatre Collectives: $200/hour
    For-Profits & Private Foundations: $300/hour