NOVA is Northern Sky’s next-generation new works development and incubation initiative
Lachrisa Grandberry named as director of Northern Sky’s NOVA Initiative
A fan favorite, audiences in Door County have come to know Lachrisa Grandberry over her past five seasons with Northern Sky as a performer, playwright, and composer. Starting this year, Grandberry will add ‘program director’ to her list of roles as she will lead the organization’s newly-formed NOVA Initiative.
What is NOVA? NOVA stands for Nurturing Original Voices and Artists. It is Northern Sky Theater’s next-generation new works development and incubation initiative. The goal of NOVA is to foster, nurture, and expand creative opportunities for alumni, BIPOC, and emerging writers in Northern Sky’s development process.
“The Nova Initiative is a reflection of what Northern Sky has always been,” said Grandberry. “In my time working on Sunflowered, I learned so much in the writing process and could not have done it without the hands-on support of the leadership staff. I am in no way, shape, or form an expert, but I do have knowledge and resources to further this part of Northern Sky’s Mission. I’m excited to pay it forward and be more intimately involved with my theater home. Even more, I’m excited about the infinite possibilities that’ll come as we continue to make space for next generation storytellers.”
Elements of NOVA include: Writing Circle, explorative writing workshops; The Nesting Place, a writer to writer mentorship program; and Pot of Luck, a writer’s retreat festival. In addition to advancing these elements, Grandberry will also serve on Northern Sky’s IDEAS Task Force (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access Solutions) and will support Northern Sky’s marketing efforts to reach new audiences.
“When Lachrisa joined us in the summer of 2018, she didn’t just embrace Northern Sky, she embraced Door County,” said associate artistic director Molly Rhode. “Lachrisa’s commitment to storytelling here in the peninsula has enriched the creative fabric of our company. We are overjoyed that she’ll be lending her leadership skills to our team as we look to Northern Sky’s future.”
Lachrisa was also recently named one of Wisconsin’s 52 Most Influential Black Leaders! Anyone who’s met Lachrisa knows that her influence is palpable. We feel extremely lucky that she’s chosen to spend so much of her time in Door County, benefiting from her influence right here. Congratulations to this most deserving human!
To learn more about The NOVA Initiative, please reach out to lachrisa@northernskytheater.com.
Register for Upcoming Events
WORKSHOPS:
I have an idea!
April 29th, 2024 | 9 – 11AM CDT (Virtaul Meeting, Zoom)
In this 2-hour workshop, writers will explore different brainstorming techniques to assemble new ideas/concepts for a new play or musical. If you are a writer with an idea for a show (or too many ideas for one show) this workshop is for you. This workshop is all about expanding the seed of an idea, and the fruit that comes from that seed.
Time for a touch up!
Monday April 29th | 6 – 8PM CDT (Virtaul Meeting, Zoom)
This workshop is designed for writers who are ready to touch their second, third, or fourth draft. Join like-minded writers as we discuss and explore productive ways to get your next draft underway.
Something about an outline…
April 30th, 2024 | 9 – 11AM CDT (Virtaul Meeting, Zoom)
Are you having trouble getting your new musical from A-Z? Then an outline might be for you. Join us as we work through multiple styles of outlining a play/musical. Outlines can be fun, and we’ll show you how!!
WRITING CIRCLES:
Committing to the Page
Weeks of May 12th – June 16th
This six-week writing circle is for writers who are looking for accountability on their journey. We will allow prompts and exercises to help guide us, and use peer review to further the knowledge and growth of each writer’s piece. This circle is highly recommended for writers with an already drafted story.
- Day of week and time for each circle will be determined by groups availability
- Virtual Meetings (Zoom)