TEACHING CREDITSWant to learn from Kim Firmston? Check out Classes and Camps
AWCS Youth Program (Reality Is Optional) - Youth Program Director and co-founder. This program started in 2010 and continues to this day growing from a once a month meeting with three kids to many many classes, clubs, camps, workshops, events, and special projects which improve writing skills, self esteem, teach leadership and followship, and give the kids a place to grow, learn, and play as well as make the program their own. http://realityisoptional.weebly.com/index.html ACS DramAntics youth theatre camp director and writing instructor. Assisting kids aged eight to sixteen to write a play in one day and produce it over the course of a week including costumes, set and props, then put it on at the Calgary Fringe Festival and other stages 2011 - present. Two camps a year. http://www.alexandracentresociety.org/programs/youth-dramantics-camps Writers' Guild of Alberta, WordsWorth residential writing camp 2009 - present. ages 12-19. Writing instructor as well as running extra curricular activities. http://writersguild.ca/ Calgary Public Library Youth Writing Conference (online) 2022 - I helped organize and run the conference, hired writers and presenters, and taught some of the sessions. Calgary Public Library RIO Pods Spring 2016 - Fall 2016. An off shoot of the RIO program (see above) on a smaller scale and taken to kids in the CPL system who may not be able to come to the regular program due to distance, time, or other hardships. Beakerhead (arts and science mashup) 2014 , 2016. 2018. Wrote the script for both the Ramsay Robot Uprising and the Time Travelers Parade. Took part in the planning committee. Organized and supervised the youth media volunteers. Compiled and edited the youth created videos and interviews to create documentaries. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxIzxoKxwuU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIq2TD4AQEU Magical Realism Workshop: March 5, 2016: Adult workshop teaching this very specific and difficult genre. TD Book Week Tour: April 30-May 8, 2015 - Labrador. I visited 11 schools and did numerous presentations on overcoming learning disabilities, writing, and character building. Drink the Wild Air Youth Writing Retreat February 21-23 2014 - This program was run under the Writers’ Guild of Alberta and directed by Lisa Murphy Lamb. My role was both camp councilor and instructor. As an instructor I ran a one and a half hour course called Epic Storytelling through LARPing, where the teens aged 12-19 took the ancient form of the epic and coupled it with LARPing (Live Action Role Playing) creating the most invigorating writing activity ever experienced. YMCA's Newcomer Teen Writing Workshop - November 9 and 23, 2013. A partnership project between Calgary Public Library and the YMCA's program for newcomer teens (YMAP). The experience of moving to another country as a teen is one that could be recorded and become part of our local story. The objectives of the project were:
Reality Is Optional Word Adventure Camp sole director and teacher. A one week day camp where the kids explore all aspects of writing from film, to poetry, prose, word art, and everything in between. 2012 - 2014. Writing Tutoring and Home School lessons - 2006 - current - elementary to senior high. Play writing and Production Program with the 35th Girl Guides - 2008 (Polar Power Quest) and March 2006 (Rock n’ Roll Trolls). Grades 4-6 (with help from the girls from Sparks - K-1, and Brownies - grades 2-3) Inglewood Summer Camp – 2008 – Grades K- 7. Assistant director and teacher of the three hour program - Passport to the World. An educational fun romp through five different countries in five days. KEEP – Kids Enhanced and Enriched Programs at Col. Walker Community School 2006-2008. Grades K-6. Taught classes on the following subjects: storytelling, multi-media, science, bracelet weaving, papier mache, poetry art, study skills, dinosaurs, space, soccer and baseball. Inglewood Summer Camp – 2006 – Coordinated and ran two full day two week summer camps for grades K-7. One sports, one arts. Taught multi-sport and storytelling classes respectively. Girl Guides of Canada – A member for fifteen years. I work as a leader with all age groups. Running meetings, coordinating, and running camps. 
Odd Jobs
Media/Communications liaison for Can You Hear Me Now? high school poetry slam 2016/17 season. Working on posters, promo, group communication, website design, etc.
Endorsements"I am very grateful to Kim for volunteering her time to newcomer teens as part of the series called “Landed in Calgary”, and helping the teens give voice to their experiences. I would highly endorse her involvement with future writing opportunities directed at children and teens."
- Jackie Flowers, Manager, Shaganappi Library, Calgary Public Library "Kim is both engaging and engages the students she works with whether be it in her workshop or as part of her book promotion audience. She knows and values the need for hilarity, play, and hands on learning. Kim is dedicated to the youth she serves and spends hours creating lessons and book launches that tap into what young people are interested in. Experiencing books with Kim is not a passive adventure, but active, loud, fun, sometimes wet, but always memorable." - Lisa Murphy-Lamb M.Ed. B.Ed, Writers’ Guild of Alberta Youth Writing Program, WordsWorth Creative Writing Residency, Director Our students and teachers found Ms. Firmston to be phenomenal, with her reading, her books, and the way that she engaged all students in the writing project. - Terry Casey, B. A., B. Ed., M. Ed., Principal, Labrador Straits Academy, L'Anse au Loup, NL "For several summers now I have had the pleasure of attending (and later assisting with) Kim Firmston's speculative fiction courses held at WordsWorth: A Creative Writing Residency. She is a warm and supportive instructor, who creates an inspirational space for young writers to explore their characters, their worlds, their words. Kim's guidance leaves you feeling safe and at home with the weird and the wonderful, and in so doing she opens the door to a world within us where nothing is impossible. More than just our writing has benefited from this - so have our spirits." - Emily Campbell (student, and later creative team member) |
WRITING CREDITSDOCUMENTARIES
2022 - Reality Is Optional - Optional Guide to Taking Over the World - A doc about the Reality Is Optional writing club and how it changed over the years and impacted the lives of the youth who have taken part. Due to be on Telus Optik TV in 2023. Funded and mentored by STORYHIVE, TELUS, and the National Screen Institute. Roles - Producer, writer, director, mentor 2021 - Adaptation in the Impoverished City - Three teens interview adults going through the pandemic to find solutions and adaptations for their generation as they prepare to tackle future crises. Told in interview, animation, and poetry. Roles - Producer, writer, mentor Awards and Screenings *Screened at the Bright Future Independent Film Festival in Gothenburg. *Semi-Finalist in the Calgary Independent Film Festival *Finalist in the Vancouver Independent Film Festival NOVELS Reality Is Optional Optional Guide To Reality (and writing) - 2023 (due to be published in April). Editor, Writer, Project Lead - A how to write book for kids by kids as well as a mini-novel within. Meet all the weird Reality Is Optional characters who are not only parts of the writing process but will lead you through the journey to becoming the writer you already were (just be careful of the Killer Flamingos). Created by the Reality Is Optional book writing team. Tales of Underdown - Editor - 2022 - a 100+ page book of short stories centralized around characters who live in the mythical land of Underdown. Conceptualized, written, edited, and published on ADP in one week by the youth at the Writing Adventure Camp I led. Creep Con - (Hi Low/ YA Novel - Lorimer - Fall 2015) Cosplay is fun until it becomes obsession. http://www.lorimer.ca/childrens/Book/2874/Creep-Con.html Stupid - ( Hi Low / YA Novel - Lorimer -Spring 2014) Martin doesn't see the world like other teens his age do. http://www.lorimer.ca/childrens/Book/S/32/2618/Stupid.html Touch - ( Hi Low / YA Novel - Lorimer -Spring 2013) When a dark secret threatens to destroy his family life, Ethan turns to his hacking skills to figure out who to believe: his father or his sister. http://www.lorimer.ca/childrens/Book/2491/Touch.html Boiled Cat - (Punk Rock/YA novel - Create Space - Spring 2013) Thrash, the sixteen year old lead singer for the punk band, Boiled Cat, is seeing skulls in the faces of his band mates and although he is aware this probably is not a good sign, Thrash has a larger problem on his hands. www.boiledcat.com - hours of mind blowing entertainment! Hook Up - (Hi Low / YA Novel - Lorimer - 2012) A realistic, unflinching look at teen pregnancy - from the guy's perspective. http://www.lorimer.ca/childrens/Book/2372/Hook-Up.html Schizo - (Hi Low / YA Novel - Lorimer - 2011) A teenage boy struggles to keep his family together, while his mother's schizophrenia tears them apart. http://www.lorimer.ca/childrens/Book/1523/Schizo.html SHORT STORIES Life Before War - Published October 2009 - FreeFall Magazine Volume XIX, Number 2, Winter edition. Short Listed in the 2008 CBC Literary Award, short story catagory. Nominated for the Writers Guild of Alberta Howard O'Hagen Award, the Journey Prize and The National Magazine Awards. Returning Home - November 2006 - Alexandra Reader, 25th anniversary anthology. PLAYS and SKITS The 3 Project, Dec 1 & 2 2022 - a documentary type script with music and spoken word showcasing 3 artists, Carla Olive, Wakefield Brewster, and Stefano Valdo. Produced by Frederick Tamagi. 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022 DramAntics Theatre Camp improv scripts created with the kids for production at the Calgary Fringe Festival. Ramsay Time Travelers' Parade - a community interactive/participation play which had both a parade and activity centres component and was hashed out by a team of youth and adults and written by myself. It was put on as part of Calgary's Beakerhead arts/science festival, September 17, 2016. Intervention - Space Therapy - July 25-30, 2016, Written with the kids of the DramAntics theatre camp. Performed at the Calgary Fringe Festival. D&D Cubed - March 21-25, 2016. Written with the kids of the ACS DramAntics theatre camp. Performed at the Alexandra Centre Society. Chocolate Solves Everything - August 1, 2015, Written with the kids of the DramAntics theatre camp. Performed at the Calgary Fringe Festival. Never Wonderland - We're All Mad Here - March 23-27, 2015. Written with the kids of the DramAntics theatre camp. Performed at the Alexandra Centre Society. Ramsay Robot Uprising - a community interactive/participation play which had both a parade and activity centres component and was hashed out by a team of youth and adults and written by myself. It was put on as part of Calgary's Beakerhead arts/science festival, September 2014. Stuck With the Gods - August 2, 2014, Written with the kids of the DramAntics theatre camp. Performed at the Calgary Fringe Festival. Bingo Beach - March, 2014. Written with the kids of the DramAntics theatre camp. Performed at the Alexandra Centre Society. Once Upon A Crime - August 3, 2013. Written with the kids of the DramAntics theatre camp. Performed at the 2013 Calgary Fringe Festival. The Blood Stone - October 27 and November 1, 2012 Written with the kids from the DramAntics fall theatre class. Ryuu's Revenge - August 4, 2012 Written with the kids from the DramAntics theatre camp. Performed at the 2012 Calgary Fringe Festival. Jail Break - A Space Comedy: March 26 – 30, 2012 Written with the kids from the DramAntics theatre camp. Performed for the Inglewood/Ramsay community. The Siren's Song - Curse of the Amulet: July 30th, 2011. Written with the kids from the DramAntics theatre camp. Performed at the 2011 Calgary Fringe Festival. Polar Power Quest: December 2008 Written with the kids from the 35th Girl Guide unit. performed at the Inglewood Community Centre for the community of Inglewood and Ramsay. The Rock n’ Roll Trolls: March 17, 2006 Written with the kids from the 35th Girl Guide unit. performed at the Inglewood Community Centre for the community of Inglewood and Ramsay. Educational Skits - Bugs Are Us, The Trail Mix Mystery, and Olave Baden Powel Used numerous times by schools and youth groups around the USA and Canada. Wex - Adult play Performed - February 26 - March 1, 1996 in the Joyce Doolittle Theatre of the Pumphouse Theatre, Calgary AB Wex - Adult play Performed - May 18, 19, 25, 26, 1991 as a dinner theatre at Green Dolphin Street, Calgary AB The Block - Family play - April 21 1989 performed at the Oilfield Players one act play festival. Oilfields high school, Black Diamond AB. Placed third. ARTICLES Defending Teens - Volume 41, Aug 2018, Voya Magazine Play With Your Words - 2013 - Article appearing on the Canadian Children's Writers and Writing Programs blog. http://www.ccwwp.ca/play-with-your-words/ The Truth About Fear - March 2008 - Article appearing in the Alexandra Writers’ Center Society - Alexandra Musings Newsletter #150 The Colonel Walker Connection - February 2007 - Four page newsletter connecting the local school with the Inglewood Community, Calgary Peeking Out of my Box, February 2007 - appearing in the Alexandra Writers’ Center Society - Alexandra Musings Newsletter #143 My Online Addiction - June 2006 - Article appearing in the Alexandra Writers’ Center Society - Alexandra Musings Newsletter #139 ZINES AND E-ZINES Reality Is Optional Monthly E-Zine - April 2011 to present. Editor and Vlog (vampire blog) writer. Assisting the kids of the Reality Is Optional in their goal to have a monthly e-zine. www.realityisoptional.weebly.com Youth Lib International - 1993-1994 - Underground Zine - edited and co-wrote with at risk and street youth. 4 issues. More STUFFShort listed for the 2014 CCWWP/PPCCL (Canadian Creative Writers and Writing Programs) Robert Kroetsch Teaching Innovation Award
An interview by CJSW for their YYC Maker's program: https://soundcloud.com/cjsw-90-9-fm/yyc-makers-episode-1-kim-firmston-on-reality-is-optional Kim's plays and skits have been performed by children from all over the world. Most recently in Canada, USA, Egypt, and the Philippines. Visit Free Scripts to find one for your class or club. PRAISE FOR
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| Kim Firmston here and now |
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