The Drama Center and TRU Present a One-Day Intensive for Writers PRACTICAL PLAYWRITING: How to Write for Commercial Production 10/24
By: Gabrielle Sierra
Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) presents a seminar that connects playwrights to the world of commercial theater: PRACTICAL PLAYWRITING: HOW TO WRITE FOR COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION on Saturday, October 24, 2009 from noon-6pm at The Players Theatre, 115 MacDougal Street, Studio 2D (below W. 3rd Street), NYC.
"What sometimes holds a playwright back is that he may not consider the person who will buy and produce the product: the producer. With all the work, hope and sweat that playwrights invest in considering character, theme and plot, they rarely take into account produce-ability," said Bob Ost, president of TRU.This one-day intensive will be taught by Diana Amsterdam of The Drama Centre, TRU's new Program Director for Playwrights. With segments of the workshop taught by presentation coach Roy Havrilack, who will help writers capture the essence of their piece in an effective synopsis, and learn how to present themselves successfully; and a panel of commercial producers including Patrick Blake, Cynthia Stillwell and others to be announced will offer feedback on writers' pitches as well as suggest appropriate markets for the works.Topics covered will include:· WHAT IS PRODUCE-ABILITY?
The fact that producers always ask this question, and playwrights hardly ever do, causes a serious disconnect between the commercial producer and most playwrights.
· WRITING TO A MARKET
This intensive will raise questions that playwrights may have never before considered: Who is your market? Who is going to buy tickets? Who is this play written for?
· WRITING VIABLY
This segment will focus on creating writing that holds the attention of the audience with a strong storyline and defined events.This module will cover such primary writing elements as: arc, desire, motivation, conflict, and the clear delineation of theme.
· WRITING ECONOMICALLY
Number of characters, number of sets, extravagance of sets: all these are serious considerations for most commercial producers. Does the play require a casting director, or can it be done successfully by seasoned unknowns? Is there a chorus of thirty that can be pared down to two? Are you kidding yourself when you think one actor can play eight parts?
12:00-1:30 How to Write a Play that a Producer Can Love - taught by Diana Amsterdam
1:30-2:00 When and How to Submit Your Work - Practical Guidelines - taught by Diana Amsterdam
2:00-2:30 Cost and Other Commercial Considerations - taught by Diana Amsterdam
2:30-3:00 Break
3:00-4:30 Getting to the Essence: A Good Synopsis and How to Pitch It - taught by Jane Petrov
4:30-6:00 Identifying Your Market - An interactive "pitch" session with feedback from Diana Amsterdam with Patrick Blake, Cynthia Stillwell and other producers
The workshop will take place at The Players Theatre, 115 MacDougal Street (below W. 3rd Street), NYC. The workshop fee is $175. Payment by check may be mailed to Theater Resources Unlimited, 309 W. 104th Street 1D, New York, NY 10025. On-line payment by Paypal or by credit card is available at www.truonline.org/store-new.html.
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