The Jack Straw Writers Program was created in 1997 to introduce local writers to the medium of recorded audio; to develop their presentation skills for both live and recorded readings; to encourage the creation of new literary work; to present the writers and their work in live readings, in an anthology, on the web, and on the radio; and to build community among writers.
The 2005 Jack Straw Writers, selected by Curator John Mifsud, are Anna Bálint, Jaime Curl, Brenda Givens, Steve Hernandez Effingham, Fredda Jaffe, Bharti Kirchner, Carlos Martinez, Maliha Masood, Jeanne Morel, Nhien Nguyen, Susan Rich, Laurel Anne White.
Listen: 2005 Jack Straw Writers radio series, co-produced with KUOW-FM 94.9.
Anna Bálint READ MORE >
Jaime Curl READ MORE >
Brenda Givens READ MORE >
Steve Hernandez Effingham READ MORE >
Fredda Jaffe READ MORE >
Bharti Kirchner READ MORE >
Carlos Martinez READ MORE >
Maliha Masood READ MORE >
Jeanne Morel READ MORE >
Nhien Nguyen READ MORE >
Susan Rich READ MORE >
Laurel Anne White READ MORE >
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John Mifsud was born in Sliema on the Mediterranean Island of Malta. He is published in several magazines and three anthologies including, New Men, New Minds: Breaking Male Tradition by Crossing Press and Boyhood: Growing Up Male – A Multicultural Anthology by the University of Wisconsin Press. John also produced, directed and scripted Speaking for Ourselves: Portraits of Gay and Lesbian Youth, a national award-winning PBS documentary highlighting the self-determination of sexual minority youth, their challenges and courage. Recently, John published a manuscript about how his family survived Nazi aggression during World War II and their subsequent emigration to Canada. His recollection of family stories is entitled All Clear. |
2025 Jack Straw May Reading Series, Night 1
With Bill Hollands, Asha Dore, Jenny Harrington Lill, and Sigrun Susan Lane. Hosted by Kathleen Alcalá.
Friday, May 2, 7:00pm
7pm in person, on Facebook, or YouTube. $10 suggested donation.
Jack Straw Cultural Center
2025 Jack Straw May Reading Series, Night 2
With Nhatt Nichols, Monique Ouk, Hillary Behrman, and Connor Watkins-Xu. Hosted by Kathleen Alcalá.
Friday, May 9, 7:00pm
7pm in person, on Facebook, or YouTube. $10 suggested donation.
Jack Straw Cultural Center
2025 Jack Straw May Reading Series, Night 3
With Mateo Bracken, Mia Tong, Makayla Danielle Gay, and Jason Prokowiew. Hosted by Kathleen Alcalá.
Friday, May 16, 7:00pm
7pm in person, on Facebook, or YouTube. $10 suggested donation.
Jack Straw Cultural Center
An anthology and reading from Jack Straw Cultural Center and Raven Chronicles celebrating the first twenty years of the Jack Straw Writers Program, 1997-2016
The Jack Straw Writers Program, Artist Support Program, and New Media Gallery Program offer established and emerging artists in diverse disciplines an opportunity to explore the creative use of sound in a professional atmosphere through residencies in our recording studios and participation in our various presentation programs.
The Artist Support Program has been assisting artists working creatively with sound since 1994, including writers, choreographers, multidisciplinary artists, theatre sound designers, radio producers, film makers, visual artists, and musicians and composers of all types. Every year, up to eight artists are awarded twenty hours of studio recording and production time with a Jack Straw engineer; an additional twelve artists receive matching awards for studio time.
The Jack Straw New Media Gallery is a unique venue in Seattle where artists from various disciplines can present works in which sound is an integral or exclusive element. This program enables artists to experiment with audio and to develop new skills and ideas in a supportive setting. Selected artists work with our engineers to realize the sound component of their project, with training as needed.
