"This book is unique and extraordinarily valuable to the field of literacy studies; no one has so deftly analyzed drama's relation to writing. Worthman graphically presents the limitations of most approaches to literacy development, and provides an alternative approach so clearly that teachers will be able to use these creative strategies in their own classrooms."
—Betty Jane Wagner, Roosevelt University, Chicago

Focusing on the transformative power of the creative arts process, Christopher Worthman offers readers a new way of thinking about literacy development and specifically the teaching of writing. In this groundbreaking ethnography, he describes and analyzes the writing development of a group of teenagers involved in a unique community-based teen theater project. Rich with theoretical as well as practical insights, "Just Playing the Part":

• Explores the critical relationship of language and writing to movement, voice development, and dramatic interaction.
• Demonstrates how literacy use in a multimedia creative arts program influences the teenage participants’ understanding of themselves and others.
• Offers a successful program for all students, especially "at-risk" teens, based on the power of the creative arts to stimulate academic and personal development.
• Contributes new research on out-of-school literacy programs.
• Includes a script developed by the group and detailed descriptions of improvisational activities that can be adapted for use by other classes or ensembles.