Jasmine Sun might only be eight years old, but she has the stage presence of a seasoned actor. With a booming voice, the pint-size actor commands the stage and brings her character to life.

This year, Jasmine joined 21 kids for a one-of-a-kind theater workshop experience at the historic Moore theater in Seattle. During the week-long program, the students learned various aspects of theater, built friendships and left with a newfound confidence.

“Every child here participates in some way,” explained Bernie Ornelas, the founder of the Young Writers Entertainment Association. “Whether they’re acting in a part or changing out props when the lights go down, each child here does their part to make the final production happen.”

After years of helping independent authors publish books as the owner of Elfin Cove Press, Ornelas decided it was time for her to take on a new role. She shifted her focus from book publishing to begin a new project she called Story Slam, a free program designed to raise excitement about literacy among students. To encourage students to read and write more, Ornelas created the Story Slam contest, giving participants the opportunity to read a creative writing piece of their own original work in front of a live audience. Story Slam reaches students ages 6 to 17 in more than 50 schools in the Puget Sound, 10 libraries and various bookstores.

“So many parents think, oh my kid would never get in front of a mic and read, but then they do and the parent is blown away,” Ornelas said.

The entries by the students can be in the form of a story or a poem. The only requirement is that the reading must be done out loud and can not exceed the five minute mark.

“Little Jasimine showed up to multiple Story Slams, each time with new poems to read,” Ornelas said of Jasmine, who participated in numerous readings at the Bellevue Regional Library. “She’s an incredible writer and such a talent at a young age. This program gives kids like Jasmine the opportunity to use writing as an outlet and builds their creativity and confidence.”

The contest takes place during the school year, and runs from September through March. When Ernest Pumphrey attended a Story Slam three years ago, he was inspired to approach Ornelas with an idea to combine his love for theater with her passion for literacy.

Encouraged by the overwhelming enthusiasm the students had about Story Slam, Ornelas and Pumphrey collaborated to bring the program to the next level. She and Pumphrey worked with the STG organization to form a new summer theater workshop, turning the winning story into a full-fledge play.

The YWEA now selects one submission per year that is then turned into a script and performed by the following year’s workshop participants. This year’s performance took place on June 26 at the Moore theater and was based on a story written by Emily Huse of Seattle, last year’s Story Slam winner.

“It’s an honor to work in such a great theater,” said Pumphrey, a former choreographer for the Paramont Performing Orchestra. “I love directing these kids and watching as their confidence grows each time they take the stage.”

The free summer workshop attracts participants from a variety of ages, skill levels and economic backgrounds. The students are encouraged to work together to bring the story to life.

“This program brings kids together who would otherwise not necessarily sit together. Here, they work together, laugh together and they become friends,” Ornelas said.

By participating in Story Slam during the school year, the students are then eligible to participate in the free theater workshop that takes place every July. The workshop is supported by the Seattle Theatre Group, which donate its time, theater space, and knowledge to help out during the weeklong program. The STG crew spend time teaching the students about various technical components of theater including stage lighting and sound.

Ornelas hopes to gain more support from the local community to continue to grow the program in the future.

“Reading and theater are both dying arts and it’s a shame,” Ornelas explained, “When a child can’t read, it’s as if they’re missing a critical tool in the tool belt. With a little heart and a little effort you can really change kids lives.”

To find out more information on Story Slam and the theater workshop e-mail Bernie Ornelas at ecovepress@aol.com.

Lindsay Larin can be reached at llarin@reporternewspapers.com or at 425-453-4602.