Playwriting is designed to help develop the skills and understanding needed to work as a writer in today’s theatre industry. Playwriting provides insight into the work of a scriptwriter – a deep understanding of live storytelling and professional scripts, short-form and full-length scripts, professional working practices, and employment strategies.
Learning Objectives
- Recognize the basic plot structures, character archetypes, and genres of plays
- Construct a stageplay using industry-standard formatting
- Identify resources for developing a play past the first draft
- Understand the process for producing a play
Apply Now
Mentee applications are closed for the Fall 2024 cycle!
Select mentor applications will be considered for the Fall 2024 cycle if they are complete by October 14, 2024.
Applications for future cycles coming soon!
Cycle(s) Offered:
Fall 2024 (October 21 – January 21)
Time:
3 hours per month
Areas of Focus:
Fiction, Publishing, Creative Writing, Short Stories, Editing
Requirements:
- Attend at least 1 Community Experience per month
- Have at least 2 pair sessions per month
- Complete the Playwriting course
- Write a ten-minute stageplay
Playwriting Journey Package
As a mentee or mentor in the Playwriting Journey, you’ll have access to a collection of online mini courses designed to help you craft the perfect play. You’ll be paired with a mentee or mentor for one full cycle, and you’ll meet with them at least twice each month. You’ll attend at least one community engagement experience a month – there are many to choose from to accommodate all of your interests and everyone’s schedules.
Playwriting Course
Playwriting course topics include these and more:
- Playwriting 101
- Fundamentals of Stageplays
- Theatrical Genres
- Beyond the Three Acts
- Character Archetypes
- Musicals
- Revision and Workshopping
- Getting It Out There
- Put It on the Stage
- Theatre Careers
These lessons are offered as a part of this journey package. If you’d like to take a course without joining a journey, click here.
Playwriting Mentoring
Mentoring requirements depend on pair type:
- Mentor/Mentee: Meet 2-3 times per month and, as a pair, attend an engagement event at least once per month.
- Peer-to-Peer: Meet 2 times per month and, as a pair, attend an engagement event at least once per month.
This journey requires a cycle-long commitment to a mentorship relationship. If you’d like to mentor but cannot commit to a full cycle, click here.
Playwriting Community Experiences
Mentees and mentors in the Playwriting Journey must attend at least one Community Experience per month, including:
- Table read workshopping/critique
- At least one live event related to the theatre industry
- College and Career Chats
- Community Studios
If you’d like to attend engagement experiences but cannot commit to these requirements, click here.
Script 360 Adventure
Playwriting is a Journey in the Script 360 Adventure.
This Adventure focuses on exploring scriptwriting through lessons and experiences that discuss playwriting, teleplays, and screenwriting! It is great for mentees who want to explore scriptwriting at a high level.
Not ready for a Journey?
If you want to be a part of the Girls Write Now Collaboratory but you aren’t ready to join a Journey, you can participate in individual writing courses, short-term mentoring services, and select community engagement experiences. See all of the options available to you below!
Writing
Take a course without joining a journey, being paired with a mentee or mentor, or attending community engagement experiences.
Mentoring
Meet with a mentee or mentor without joining a journey, accessing writing courses, or attending community engagement experiences.
Community
Attend community engagement experiences without joining a journey, being paired with a mentee or mentor, or accessing writing courses.