Storywing: An immersive Arts & Literacy Collaboration

 

with Siuslaw Elementary School
 

Storywing's goal is to strengthen literacy through the performing arts while fostering mentorship across grade levels. The program provides elementary students with greater exposure to the Arts while empowering C.R.O.W.’s talented teens to step into leadership roles. Together, the troupe will perform, collaborate, and uplift younger students who will one day follow in their footsteps.

 

Principal Amy Flora shared her excitement about the new initiative:

“As principal, I have overseen our school's partnership with C.R.O.W. for the past four years and have consistently witnessed the positive impact their Arts-based programming has on our student body. This collaboration has not only enriched our curriculum but has also provided our students with unique opportunities for creative engagement. The Storywing program is uniquely poised to achieve several key educational outcomes. By transforming students' writing into live performance, it will bridge the gap between literacy skills and creative expression. The program will also foster essential collaborative skills and provide a vital creative outlet for participants, further supporting their academic and personal development.”

 

Melanie Heard, Artistic Director of C.R.O.W. and Director of Storywing, explained her vision:

“As a young person, I learned just how instrumental the Arts are to strengthening literacy. The two go hand in hand. I spent 6 years as a classroom teacher, and have been developing this program for several years.  I am so grateful to see it come to fruition!  This new program not only provides a wonderful collaboration with our incredible public school—which is so exciting—but also allows students to use their imaginations and watch their words come alive.  Thank you to the participating teachers!”

 

The Storywing program will culminate in an in-school assembly in 2025, showcasing the collaborative work between young authors and the teen troupe. Elementary students whose writing is selected will see their stories brought to life on stage and will be honored with a certificate celebrating their creativity and achievement.  Storywing hopes to expand to include other regional schools in the future. 

 

“I can’t wait to see how high the young authors and teen mentors can fly,” Heard added.