Featuring writers reflecting on play through poetry and creative storytelling. JOT Writers reminisce and read from their original works on play and imagination, childhood toys and neighborhood games, as well as the impact that play can have on shaping one’s identity and community.  This Art of Play performance will be an interactive, creative, and imaginative celebration of play for both the audience and the writers of the Neighborhood Writing Alliance.

Participating writers include: Helene Marie-Carnes (Mabel Manning Branch Library), Delores Toliver (Hall Branch Library), Mary Moran (Mabel Manning Branch Library), Phillis Humphries (Hall Branch Library), Allyne Taylor (Hall Branch Library), Donna Pecore (Albany Park Community Center), Yvette Logan (Hall Branch Library), Jeanette Moton (Hall Branch Library), Jean Swanagan (King Branch Library), Gabrielle Martin (King Branch Library), Marion Jones (Lake Park), Sandra Gildersleeve-Freeman (Hall Branch Library), Debra Johnson (Hall Branch Library), and Sharon Warner (Hall Branch Library).

The Neighborhood Writing Alliance (NWA), publishers of the award-winning Journal of Ordinary Thought, provokes dialogue and promotes change by creating opportunities for adults to write, publish, and perform works about their lives.  NWA strives to amplify voices that often go unheard.

Recorded Wednesday, September 19, 2007 at Chicago Tourism Center.