William Way LGBT Community Center’s slate of skill- and community-building courses returns this spring with a wealth of new additions to get LGBTs and allies embracing their hidden and not-yet-discovered talents.
Fourteen Way Gay U classes will launch in the coming weeks, eight of which are brand-new additions to the program.
As several of this semester’s classes are performance-based, organizers hosted a Way Gay U variety show March 14 at Tabu with many of the instructors, who also participated in a video series highlighting the creativity Way Gay U students can hone this spring.
“We have so much talent in the gay community, and they have a lot that they can teach others in the community,” said Paul Blore, William Way executive assistant.
Those looking to get moving this spring can enroll in “Homorobics,” a fusion of dance and exercise, as well as line-dancing and ballroom-dancing series, both targeted to beginners.
Students wanting to get onto the stage can take part in Melissa Kolczynski’s “Be a Cabaret Performer,” which will offer performance and vocal techniques, as well as tips on producing a cabaret show.
R. Eric Thomas’ “It’s Kind of a Funny Story,” which will be held March 31, will school students on infusing serious stories with humor, and Thomas will also lead “What’s Your Story?” a series that will train participants to tap into their personal histories to produce evocative tales.
Storytelling of a different sort will be the focus of Camp Tabu co-host Alejandro Morales’ “Screenwriting/Stand-up Comedy Writing Workshop,” which will focus on joke-telling techniques along with an exploration of contemporary Hollywood script-writing structure.
Writing will be incorporated into “Pollination Books,” held May 7, which will show students how to document their personal sexual histories to determine the future shape of their sex lives.
Students can also learn to put pen to paper in “Get That Job …Write Away,” held April 7 to teach registrants how to craft catchy and professional cover letters and résumés.
Job seekers can benefit from “Rock the Interview,” a one-day course April 21 that will offer fashion and etiquette advice, and tips for both verbal and nonverbal communication, to make sure the interview goes smoothly and successfully.
Students can gain new skills with the series “American Sign Language 101,” or can participate in group discussions — such as a March 26 conversation on navigating open relationships or an April 9 forum on queer parenting.
Those looking for a dose of history this spring can partake in center archivist Bob Skiba’s historical walking tour, which will be held April 14 and take students from Rittenhouse Square to the current Gayborhood and places in between to trace the city’s gay history.
Blore said Way Gay U is an opportunity for community members to share their skills and interests with one another as a means to both individual and community growth.
“One of the principles that has always guided Way Gay U is that there is a wealth of talent and knowledge in the LGBT community in Philadelphia,” he said. “This is a place to not only be in a safe space but to learn from your peers and gain skills or knowledge from other people within our community.”
To register, visit www.waygay.org. To learn more and view the Way Gay U video series, visit www.facebook.com/pages/Way-Gay-U/100375983401904.
Jen Colletta can be reached at [email protected].