All workshops are free and open to the public. See below for which workshops will take place in the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library and be streamed through Facebook Live and which events are only available over Facebook Live.

Filmmaker Talk: TBA

Date: Saturday, April 20

Time: 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Location: Rita Blitt Gallery in the Mulvane Art Museum, Washburn University

Featured Women’s Panel: Community & Belonging in Film

Date: Saturday, April 20

Time: 3 - 4:30 p.m.

Location: Facebook Live & The Learning Center in the T&SCP Library

Sue Vicory, an award-winning filmmaker, has put together a panel of all-female filmmakers to talk about Community & Belonging in Film.

Featured panelists: TBA

Featured Workshops

Community & Belonging in Film featuring Dennis Etzel Jr.

Date: Saturday, April 20 at 10 a.m.

Location: The workshop will be hosted at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library in the Anton Room, and on Facebook Live.

Dennis Etzel Jr. is an award-winning published author who teaches English at Washburn University. He is a TALK Scholar for the Kansas Humanities Council and leads poetry workshops across Kansas. He earned a master's degree and graduate certificate in women and gender studies at the University of Kansas. Dennis has received outstanding awards for his achievements, including a 2017 Troy Scroggins Award, and the 2017 Topeka ARTSConnect Arty Award in Literary Arts.

Workshop TBA

Date: Saturday, April 20 at 10 a.m.

Location: The workshop will be hosted at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library in the Menniger Room, and on Facebook Live.

Workshop Speaker TBA

Editing in Film featuring Allan Holzman

Date: Saturday, April 20 at 11 a.m.

Location: The workshop will be hosted in the Anton Room at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library and on Facebook Live.

Allan Holzman is a well-known filmmaker and editor who has worked extensively in Hollywood with some of the most iconic filmmakers such as Steven Spielberg, James Cameron and Roger Corman. He’s very skilled in his field, often challenging himself to an array of different projects, and using his skill to help others turn their works into accomplished pieces.

Faith in Film featuring Christian Watkins

Date: Saturday, April 20 at 11 a.m.

Location: The workshop will be hosted at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library in the Menniger Room, and on Facebook Live.

Reverend Christian Watkins specializes in Constructive Theologies and community-based social change. She is an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ. Her ministry focuses on fostering alternative faith communities, anti-racist and LGBTQ+ inclusive practices, mentorship, environmental sustainability, and inter-belief solidarity. She is a social science researcher, educator, speaker, writer, actor, musician, and the Executive Director of a faith-rooted 501(c)3 at Kansas State University. Born and raised in rural Southeast Kansas, she is passionate about storytelling that uses nuanced pastoral narratives to lead us towards more dynamic community. As an Associate Producer, Christian specializes in Fundraising and Strategic Development for the project and acts as the religious consultant.

Entrepreneurship in Film featuring Rick LeJeurrne

Date: Saturday, April 20 at 1 p.m. 

Location: The workshop will be hosted at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library in the Anton Room and on Facebook Live.

Rick LeJeurrne is a Lecturer at the School of Business at Washburn University. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Washburn University and then his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Kansas School of Law. He helps students to use strategic business models, develop pro forma financials, create opportunities, and work on pitching ideas. Outside of Washburn, he helps young entrepreneurs to navigate and grow their businesses.

Sports in Film featuring Micah Brown

Date: Saturday, April 20 at 1 p.m. 

Location: The workshop will be hosted at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library in the Menniger Room and on Facebook Live.

Micah Brown is the principal director and owner of the production company Second Wind Creative, Micah has been awarded multiple Emmy’s for his work and has earned the trust of some of the top television networks in the world, including ESPN, Showtime, Peacock, NFL Network, Netflix, Fox Sports, NBC Sports, CBS Sports, Big 10 Network, Golf Channel, Uninterrupted, and Bleacher Report.