Date of Award
Spring 4-30-2022
Degree Type
Capstone
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Professional Writing (MAPW)
Department
English
Committee Chair/First Advisor
Professor Anna Weinstein
Co-Chair
Dr. Andrew "Andy" Plattner
Abstract
Dark Legends is a story about how five normal teens --Mya, Lei, Tamara, Kimi, and Cruz –are thrust into the dark unknown left to navigate spaces on their own with only each other to rely on. As they maneuver through this new world, they discover dark family secrets and learn about culture outside of the school’s classrooms, all while fighting the supernatural world that plagues their town. To survive their living nightmare, each teen must confront their fears, battle their insecurities, and defeat the supernatural that lurks in the corners of their homes. If not, the nightmare that started it all will come collect them one by one. Can they handle the truth each urban legend reveals about themselves and their families without it consuming them?
This fictional young adult story and script focuses on inclusion without re-traumatizing people of color, while eliminating the use of harmful stereotypes and troupes. With respect to cultures and identities, each character is given their own story to tell without being the butt of a joke, or without being pushed to the side before the story gets to its climax.