Playwriting Groups


With the opportunity to read other playwrights' works, have them read yours, and learn and network with each other, playwriting groups offer many possibilities. The concept is simple: playwrights meet and share their works for reaction, input, and mutual encouragement and support. Playwriting is all about reaction from the audience or reader. When a certain audience has intimate knowledge of the creative processes involved, their reactions and suggestions are even more focused, and their encouragement more sincere, because they share the struggle.

I have not had many opportunities with playwriting groups; however, the opportunity is knocking again, in the form of emails and discussions from readers about creating this type of discussion and critique group here at Suite101.

There are multiple ways we can put one of these together. I say "we" first in the singular sense, since I will be the one assembling the technology side. But in the larger sense, it will be the participation of you, the Suite101 playwriting community, which determines the success of this venture.

The possible options are:

  • The Discussions Area
  • Scheduled Chats
  • Email Discussions
  • Your Suggestion?

The Discussions Area

Bulletins can be posted; emails (with script attachments or evaluations) can be shared. It can be one focused discussion called "Playwrights Unite" (hey, it's a working title). As moderator, I have the capability of editing any and all content in a discussion. I doubt there would be anyone posting offensive or totally irrelevant and annoying material, but it simply will not be tolerated.

Scheduled Chats

With the "worldwide" part in mind, setting up a discussion could be early morning for one playwright, dinner somewhere else, and the middle of the night for others. But, if scheduling can be worked out, it could be very beneficial if prepared well. The script to be discussed would be distributed ahead of time, with the readers recording their notes. Then, in the chat, the script would be perused with readers bringing up their comments along the way.

These chats needn't be overly scheduled. Beyond the time zone difference challenges, there are simply the matters of life that claim the minutes of our days. Once or twice a month may be sufficient. We could start with just the first one, see how that goes, where the initial participants reside, and work out some type of schedule. Or, we could schedule the evaluation groups as scripts are distributed and read.

Chats could easily be incorporated with either the Discussions Area or with the next option.

The copyright of the article Playwriting Groups in Playwriting is owned by Dave Brandl. Permission to republish Playwriting Groups in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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