Practical Playwriting: How to Write for Commerical Production March 13, 2010

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, March 13, 2010 from noon-6pm at The Players Theatre, 115 MacDougal Street, Studio 2D (below W. 3rd Street), NYC. This unique workshop goes beyond the theoretical to include a closing session of real feedback from a panel of commercial producers.

This half-day intensive will be taught by Diana Amsterdam of The Drama Centre. A key segment of the workshop will be 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 and pitch themselves successfully; and at the end of the day, a panel of commercial producers will offer feedback on writers' pitches as well as suggest appropriate markets for the works. This prestigious panel will include Danna Call (Communications Skills Coach for Dramatists Play Service) and Tony Award-winning Broadway producers Ken Waissman ("Grease", "Over Here!", "Torch Song Trilogy") and Cheryl Wiesenfeld ("A Steady Rain", "The Exonerated", "Legally Blonde", "Elaine Stritch: At Liberty").

Topics covered will include:
• WHAT IS PRODUCEABILITY? 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 - We will ask each playwright questions he or she has probably never considered before: Who is your market? Who is going to buy tickets? Who is this play written for?
• WRITING VIABLY - 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?

The workshop will take place at The Players Theatre, 115 MacDougal Street (below W. 3rd Street), NYC. The workshop fee is $175. ($25 off for current members of TRU). Apply by 3/1 and save $25. 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.

Official Website: http://www.truonline.org