The Hyattsville Middle School Creative Writing program helps students unleash their creative side and feel more comfortable writing about everyday life. Students learn how to write stories and expand their vocabulary in a non-academic way while discussing their creative process. Learning to critique and give constructive feedback is a lifelong skill needed in every discipline.
We are looking for students with potential who demonstrate their passion for creative writing. Successful students show strong critical and creative thinking skills.
The audition consists of a ten-minute interview to demonstrate the following:
Positive response and enthusiasm for creative writing
Ability to discuss in detail your writing process
Willingness to discuss and accept constructive criticism
Desire to experiment with different genres of writing and techniques
Willingness to examine literature as part of the creative writing process
Pre-writing assignment to demonstrate the following:
Composition
Word Choice
Structure
Creativity connected to a given prompt
Applicants must complete a Writing Prompt.
Choose ONE prompt from the options listed below. Follow these directions when writing:
Write a rough draft
Show all edits and revisions on your rough draft
Write a clean final draft
Upload both versions (rough draft with edits and revisions, and clean final draft).
Prompt 1. Friendship and Loyalty
Write an original story about a friend who shows up just when they’re needed most. Describe the moment they appear, and what they do that changes everything. Think about what makes this friend unique and how their actions impact the main character’s life. Be creative with your setting, your characters, and any challenges they might face.
Guidelines: Your story should be 500 words, double-spaced and typed. Focus on showing the friendship and the moment of loyalty through actions, dialogue, and the feelings of the characters.
Prompt 2. The Unexpected Hero
Write an original story featuring an unlikely hero—someone or something no one would expect to save the day. Describe why people don’t expect this character to be a hero, the challenges they face, and how they ultimately surprise everyone with their bravery or cleverness.
Guidelines: Your story should be 500 words, double-spaced and typed. Use descriptive language to bring your setting and characters to life. Think about how to make this unexpected hero’s actions memorable and inspiring.
Prompt 3. What If Animals Could Talk?
Imagine a world where animals can speak to humans. Write an original story about what happens on a day when animals reveal something surprising or important. Describe how humans react to this discovery and how it changes life for both animals and people.
Guidelines: Your story should be 500 words, double-spaced and typed. Use dialogue and descriptions to show how different characters (human and animal) react. Think about the impact this could have on relationships, daily life, and understanding between animals and people.
Prompt 4. A World Without…
Imagine a world without something you think is very important, like electricity, friendship, or nature. Write an original story about how people’s lives are changed without this thing, and how they try to adapt. Describe what the world is like, how people feel about the change, and whether they find a way to bring it back.
Guidelines: Your story should be 500 words, double-spaced and typed. Focus on building a vivid world and show how the absence of this one thing impacts people’s lives. Use descriptive language and creative ideas to make this world feel real.
Review/edit the pre-writing assignment you will submit so we can see your best work.
READ. Great writers are constantly reading.
Be prepared to discuss your work.
Be prepared to discuss where you want to go and what you hope to accomplish.
Present yourself well – arrive promptly, dress neatly, speak clearly and confidently.
There will be a panel of Theatre adjudicators who will score the audition process by using a rubric that focuses on the following:
Voice, Mechanics, Developed Idea, Adherence to the Topic, Editing and Revisions, and Completeness in Answering the Questions.
The CPA Middle School Creative Writing auditions will take place on Saturday, January 23, 2027.
Students auditioning for the CPA Writing program will report to:
TBD
SEND QUESTIONS TO THE CONTENT SUPERVISOR:
Dr. Patricia Payne, Instructional Supervisor