Teaching Experience
As an artist myself, I know how essential it is to learn to improve your craft. I offer one on one coaching, workshops, and lectures for students looking to study writing in any shape and form.
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I have presented research at the College English Association Conference in San Antonio (CEA 2023) and was recently selected to present at The Association for Theatre in Higher Education this August in Austin (ATHE 2023).
Screenwriting
As someone who grew up in the entertainment industry, I know what it takes to get your scripts drafted. Have an idea for a movie or tv show? Let me teach you how to turn that into a solid draft that's ready to submit to contests or agents!
Playwriting & Writing Musical Theatre Librettos
As a working musical theatre writer, I know what it takes to write 10-minute, one act, 90-minute, or even full length shows. My work has been produced, published, and performed regionally. Got an idea for a stage show? Let me show you how to make it a reality!
Creative Writing
As an avid reader and writer of fiction, I know what it takes to write prose. I've written three books (thus far) and have gotten my short stories published. I can teach creative writing for short or long form. Watch your ideas get put on the page and gain the confidence to submit to lit mags!
Songwriting
As a working songwriter for animation, sync music, and musical theatre, I know a lot about writing lyrics and music with and without collaborators. Grow your songs from sketches to producable tracks and be able to get your music out there!
I have additional teaching experience as a Writing Tutor and as a Mentor for Women in Animation, WriteGirl, Maestra Music, and Young Storytellers!
Contact Me About Teaching!
Reviews
"Makena is an excellent teacher and mentor. The way she teaches is not only clear and easy to understand, but it motivates me to write and create."
Jules Bustamante
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"One of my favorite things about the way Makena teaches is that she always makes sure to ground a lesson in reality, discussing how a production budget should factor into your writing, what kinds of shows and movies are most likely to get picked up, and answering the age old question: "I've written my script...now what?" She combines these considerations with a fantastic intro to writing and organizing a story that is sure to set you up for success. If you're trying to learn as much as you can or contextualize what you already know, I would highly recommend."
Abbe Piccolo
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"As always, Makena's knowledge of the entertainment industry and her personal experience as a writer shines through her ability to instruct and inspire other writers. I always walk away from Makena's workshops feeling motivated and empowered to create. The open-forum style of meeting keeps me really engaged and I feel like I’m able to ask questions on anything and receive a really helpful answer. Makena even breaks down her own work and process, even including screenshots of her examples. That sort of specific information is often missing from the artist panels I attend. Her teaching has given me the tools I need to make a screenplay come alive step by step."
Isabel Roney
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Student evals speak to my “flexibility and kindness,” “engaging assignments,” and “helpful grading practices.”
Chapman University, Rhetoric and Composition Students