Class Description
Do you have a great idea for a play but don’t know where to begin? Or have you started one but don’t know how to get all your ideas to shine? Maybe you’ve written a play or two before, but want to learn some new strategies and use the structure and discipline of routine deadlines to write something truly new?
Whatever your experience level, this class is designed to get that killer first draft out of your head and onto the page. Over the course of six weeks, we will cover the essential ingredients for writing a new play including dynamic characters, dramatic action, proper formatting, and dialogue that makes us lean in to listen. Through interactive exercises and assignments, you will conquer the blank page and develop your unique playwriting voice.
We will steal from a diverse array of classic and contemporary playwrights to create compelling plot, dialogue, conflict, and character. Everyone will hear their writing read aloud (absolutely essential for playwrights!) and get smart feedback from the instructor and fellow students. You will learn craft strategies, write raw materials in class, and receive weekly writing assignments that will unlock your creativity.
This class is the first in a series on writing the full-length play. The next class is Playwriting II, which continues the investigation of what makes a great play with a focus on revision strategies. The final class is Master Scriptwriting, which prepares plays for professional submission and culminates in a public reading with professional actors at the Boston Center for the Arts.
Thanks to the excellent literary citizenship of our donors, scholarships are available for all GrubStreet classes. To apply, click the gray "APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIP" button. In order to be considered for a scholarship, you must complete your application at least one week before the start date of a class. Please await our scholarship committee's decision before registering for the class. We cannot hold spots in classes, so the sooner you apply, the better. Scholarships cannot be applied retroactively.
For more detailed information about GrubStreet scholarships, including how to contribute to scholarship funds for other students, click here.
This class will take place using Zoom videoconferencing. Please visit the Resources tab to access the video-conference link.
Zoom Participation:
Students are not required to turn their camera on, but are encouraged to participate any way they feel comfortable through functions such as the live chat, emoji reactions, and unmuting the microphone. Learn more about using Zoom here.
Zoom Accessibility:
We ask that instructors enable closed captioning and send a transcript of the session after class. You can also enable closed captioning at any time during the meeting. If your instructor forgets to send the transcript, just send ’em an email!