our programs
FREE poetry, performance, music, filmmaking, and screenwriting workshops for Southern California youth.
the creative lab
performance
Explore the art of performance through Spoken Word poetry. This course will hone your skills on the stage through authentic expression, dynamic group work, and targeted feedback from industry professionals working in film, television, and theater. Using Spoken Word poetry, you’ll explore techniques for verbal, physical, and emotional performance that act as a basis for performance of all types: comedy, film, theater, and more.
APPLY here
screenwriting
Learn the fundamentals of screenwriting with an emphasis on character-driven stories and emotional arcs. Along with technical skills like formatting and professional writing software, you’ll develop your creative process and practice giving and receiving constructive feedback. Learn from guest speakers from the Writers Guild of America and get personal feedback on your script from professional screenwriters. Your final script will be entered into the Get Lit Script-fest, with the chance to be professionally produced!
APPLY here
filmmaking
Master the principles of visual storytelling through this hands-on filmmaking program. In this course, you’ll learn how to write treatments and pitch ideas, create storyboards and shot lists, collaborate with other young filmmakers, and take a project from conception to completion. As you master the art of filmmaking, you’ll work with other artists and experts to produce your own short films.
APPLY here
mixtape masterclass
Fine-tune your musical potential in this production course. You’ll learn the basics of songwriting & lyricism, voice control & flow, rhythm & rhyme, instrumentation, producing, and sound engineering while developing skills with recording equipment, Digital Audio Workstations, and live DJ techniques. This series of handcrafted workshops from seasoned music professionals will take you through the process of creating an album start-to-finish, culminating with the release of a class mixtape.
APPLY here
The creative career lab
Join the Creative Career Lab, Get Lit's year-long professional development program that runs from July 2024-May 2025. The Creative Career Lab prepares young professionals ages 18-28 to thrive in a full-time position in the creative and nonprofit sectors. Graduates will receive support finding–and the skills to excel at–a dream job!
- Learn from weekly workshops and one-on-one mentoring from industry leaders
- Meet top professionals at creative companies, nonprofits, and startups
- Graduate with a professional resume, letters of recommendation, certifications, and support finding full-time employment
Get Lit's Creative Career Lab is funded by the California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) through the California Community Reinvestment Grants Program (CalCRG). This program aims to address the impact that the War on Drugs had on marginalized communities, creating a bridge to success for young adults affected by these policies through critical professional training, connections, and paid job placement.
Welcome to Get Lit’s Creative Career Lab. Let’s get to work.
