Life as a Playwright: A Survival Guide

Description

Addressing the questions central to any playwright's career and identity, Jon Klein offers you a glimpse into a career writing for the theatre. As well as an account of the day-to-day life of a writer, he also discusses what an aspiring playwright should expect as they navigate the industry and how to make yourself stand out from the crowd. Furthermore, the book looks at situations that the emerging playwright is likely to encounter, including: handling rehearsals, workshops, castings, re-writing, venues, reviews, successes and failure. The book concludes with seventeen interviews with other USA-based playwrights, representing a wide range of experience, from writers just starting to make a name for themselves to seasoned, award-winning veterans such as Sheila Callaghan, Steven Dietz, Keith Glover, Lauren Gunderson, John Pielmeier and Jen Silverman Author Jon Klein has a wealth of experience with over 30 of his plays produced in the USA and over 100 productions, including include T Bone N Weasel, Dimly Perceived Threats to the System, Betty the Yeti, and his most recent play, Resolving Hedda. Klein draws upon the lessons he has learned from his associations with numerous established theatre folk, many from the start of their careers. These include figures such as Bob Falls, Gregory Hines, Jon Jory, Kenny Leon, Dan Sullivan, and August Wilson.clude figures such as Bob Falls, Gregory Hines, Jon Jory, Kenny Leon, Dan Sullivan, and August Wilson Title Page Copyright Page Contents Introduction What Is This Book? Who Am I? Chapter 1 Becoming a Playwright Which Road Should You Take? Why Do You Want to Be a Playwright? When Do You Call Yourself a Playwright? Points to Remember Chapter 2 Writing Your First Play Are You Compelled to Write a Play? Are You Ready to Start? Idea versus Story How Do You Learn About Playwriting Methods? What Does the Reader Look For? Meeting Professionals The First Play Points to Remember Chapter 3 Submissions What Are Plays Supposed to Look Like? How the Heck Can You Get Someone to Read Your Play? Agents The National New Play Network The New Play Exchange Other Submission Methods Points to Remember Chapter 4 Developing Your First Play What If Your Play Isn’t Perfect? How Do You Organize a Cold Reading? Are There Other Ways to Develop New Scripts? The Rewrite The Staged Reading What Are the Leading Play Development Programs? Points to Remember Chapter 5 Rehearsal and Production (If Things Go Well) The Rehearsal Room Good Rehearsals The Production What’s It Like to Have a Hit? Points to Remember Chapter 6 Rehearsal and Production (If Things Don’t Go Well) Mistakes to Avoid Do Playwrights Have Any Say? Bad Rehearsals What About Critics? How Do You Deal With Failure? Points to Remember Chapter 7 Publishing and Professional Decisions Publishing How Do You Protect Your Writing? What About Contracts? Does Geography Matter? Can a Playwright Make Bad Decisions? How Do You Earn a Living? Points to Remember Chapter 8 Building a Reputation How Do You Bounce Back? Financial Considerations Emerging and Established Playwrights The Next Play Points to Remember Chapter 9 Lessons of Luck What’s Luck Got To Do with It? Good Luck More Good Luck Bad Luck Points to Remember Chapter 10 How Other Playwrights Got Started Introduction Stories from 17 Other Dramatists Chapter 11 Final Thoughts Works Cited About the Author Published Plays by Jon Klein Index