Embark on a journey of self-discovery with award-winning writer/performer Ann Randolph as your guide! Join us for a powerful workshop focused on uncovering the power of your story. This is your chance to dive deep into your personal narrative and witness the profound transformation that comes from sharing it aloud. Learn to embrace your creative instincts and become the author of your own life. Ann creates a supportive and dynamic atmosphere where you can playfully explore without judgment. No writing experience required, just a spirit of willingness.
What people have to say about Ann…
"I value every second of every moment I have spent in Ann’s workshops. She has brought inspiration and light into my world as an artist I didn’t know existed. For that I will be forever grateful. Without her I wouldn’t have written my play, it wouldn’t have been produced at two highly regarded theaters in LA, nor would I have had a dreamlike run at an Off-Broadway house in New York, and I wouldn’t be in talks with a “very big” MAJOR publishing house and a notable Literary Agent about any of this - if it hadn’t been for her - her talent, genius and generous guidance."
“Ann Randolph is a magnificent teacher. That’s why I’ve returned to study with her again and again. I’m a seven-time published author and I teach writing all over the world—and Ann is my go-to teacher. Every time I study with her, she jumpstarts my writing, helps me tap into my deepest material, and pushes me right over the edge of my comfort zone—exactly where I want to be because that’s where the creative jewels are found."
“My week in Ann Randolph’s workshop was simply incredible. She is an exquisite teacher. Skilled, compassionate, funny, inspirational. So talented! So creative! Perfection in an instructor. We had the joy of watching her perform her hilarious new show, Inappropriate In All the Right Ways, one evening at Hollyhock. What a gift! She is a wickedly funny comedienne who was able to drop in and bring a depth and humanity to her characters which was deeply moving. My work took on a new depth and I began to feel that I might be able to actually write this play. I can say with a full heart that her workshop changed my life.”
ABOUT ANN
Ann is an award-winning writer and performer. She has performed her solo shows in theaters across the U.S garnering awards along the way including the Los Angeles Ovation Award for “Best Solo Show” and the San Francisco Bay Critic’s award for “Best Solo Performer.” Mel Brooks produced her first big hit, Squeeze Box, Off-Broadway.
In addition to writing and performing, Ann is passionately committed to helping people speak their truth on the page, stage, and in life. She teaches her widely popular Write Your Life week-long retreats at Esalen, Omega, Kripalu, and in Kauai where she currently resides. More About Ann ➡
My Story
20 years ago I was working the graveyard shift at a homeless shelter for mentally ill women in Santa Monica. My paycheck every two weeks was $740. I took the job so I would have my days free to create and weekends off to perform. I thought I would be there only 6 months.
I worked there for 10 years. During that time, I wrote 5 solo shows, all of them produced with my credit card. Thank you VISA! I won fancy awards and critic’s praise, but I sunk deeper in debt from self-producing.
I couldn’t get the attention of producers and agents no matter how hard I tried. The worst part, I lied. I lied when I met people in the entertainment industry. I didn’t tell them where I worked because I wanted to be seen as “somebody”.
Finally, in my 10th year on the graveyard shift, with nothing to lose. I picked up a pen and wrote about the lies, my life at the shelter, and my fear that I could end up homeless too. When I finished writing the show, I felt a tremendous peace because I had finally revealed the part of myself I was desperately trying to hide, my own brokenness.
One night while performing this new show, I see Mel Brooks in the audience. I can barely contain myself. I am a huge fan! Immediately after the show, he comes backstage says, “Ann you’re a genius. I am going to produce you in NYC!” To the outside world, my life changed in that instant, but to me, it changed the minute I was able to share all of me on stage and not just the pretty parts.
The liberation of no longer hiding and telling the truth is the greatest gift I gave myself and what I continue to practice every day. It’s not easy and sometimes I still want to hide, but I know it’s the only way.
After the run in NYC, I knew I wanted to spread this truth-telling message. I started teaching a course I created called Write Your Life. I had never created a course before, but I knew I believed in what I had learned.
My intention was for us to write our deepest shames, fears, losses, joys, and dreams on to the page and share them with one another in a circle of kindness.
It’s been 16 years since I taught my first course and I am honored to have guided thousands of people from every walk of life to write their stories. What I know for sure, YOUR STORY MATTERS.
