Monthly Archives :

August 2017

Jacqueline Goldfinger

Playwriting 101: Nuts & Bolts

 1024 683 Play Penn

with Jacqueline Goldfinger

Perfect for anyone with enthusiasm for the stage!

Dates & Times

Due to popular demand, this course is now being offered multiple times each semester.  All sessions will cover the same material.

  • Session 5 – Lunch & Learn: December 4, 5, 6, 7 from Noon-1:15pm

Where

Online. We will use Zoom.us. It is a very simple system. You will receive a link prior to class. You click the link and are taken to a site that has multiple boxes (like The Brady Bunch opening credits) where you can see and chat with everyone in the class. You must have a working internet connection and a computer that has both speakers (so you can hear the teaching artist) and a microphone (so they can hear you; be advised, some computer systems require you purchase a headset to use the microphone). If you would like to investigate the system before registering for the class, check out: www.zoom.us. PlayPenn covers the cost of using the system but you are expected to participate independently. We will not be recording these sessions.

Required Prep

You will be emailed a few pages of material to review prior to class.

Bio

Jacqueline Goldfinger

Jacqueline Goldfinger’s  new play, The Arsonists, currently has a NNPN Rolling World Premiere at Azuka Theatre, Know Theater, Capital Stage and Perseverance Theatre. She is an award-winning playwright who has taught playwriting at PlayPenn, University of Pennsylvania, University of California, San Diego, McCarter Theatre, and around the world. Her work has been seen at theaters including: The Kennedy Center, La MaMa (NYC), FringeArts, Philadelphia Theatre Company, Arden Theatre, Azuka Theatre, Flashpoint Theatre, Seattle Public, Barrington Stage, Vermont Stage, and elsewhere. Her work is supported by NEA ArtWorks, Independence Foundation, Producer’s Fund, Yaddo, PlayPenn Conference, Lark Playwrights Week, and others. Read more about her work online: www.jacquelinegoldfinger.com

$100

Tuition

Join award-winning Playwright and PlayPenn Director of Education Jacqueline Goldfinger for a down and dirty, nuts & bolts exploration of the basics of the art and craft of playwriting. Whether you’re a professional writer or haven’t written a word, this class is great both for polishing skills and picking up new ones.

We will cover: Traditional well-made play structure, Other structural alternatives, Creating engaging characters, Creating strong worlds, Scene-work, Monologue-work, and more. We will also do, and share, several short writing exercises.

Stay Tuned…Fall classes will be announced on September 12!

“Jacqueline Goldfinger’s Workshop was the perfect solution to writer’s block and my fear of writing. It was both hands on and inspiring: practical and thought provoking – I left with questions to answer and new insights. Just what one wants from a workshop!”

-Deborah B.

“The class was a perfect mix of information and examples, practical writing time and sharing time.”

-Jane D.

“This was such an amazing class. I left feeling that I could really write a play. Thank you so much for your encouragement and passion for this art.”

-Karen S.

“I want to write a play and this class helped me get started. Jackie is a teacher who inspires and motivates.”

-Mary D.
Jeremy Stoller Headshot

Navigating the Industry

 650 433 Play Penn

with Jeremy Stoller

Learn how to be your own best advocate and get your work seen, read and produced!

Dates & Times

Both sessions will cover the same material. You will choose your preferred date below when you register.

  • Session 1 – Weekend Writers: Sunday, July 9
    from 5-8pm EDT
  • Session 2 – Night Owls: Thursday, August 31 from
    7-10pm EDT

Where

Online. We will use Zoom.us. It is a very simple system. You will receive a link prior to class. You click the link (same link each week) and are taken to a site that has multiple boxes (like The Brady Bunch opening credits) where you can see and chat with everyone in the class. You must have a working internet connection and a computer that has both speakers (so you can hear the teaching artist) and a microphone (so they can hear you; be advised, some computer systems require you purchase a headset to use the microphone). If you would like to investigate the system before registering for the class, check out: www.zoom.us. PlayPenn covers the cost of running the system but you are expected to participate independently.

Required Prep

Students should bring copies of query letters or application statements that they’ve written – something a page or less that they would like to receive feedback on. We’ll go over strategies for writing letters and statements and will get the opportunity to hear some students’ samples and discuss how to strengthen them.

Bio

Jeremy Stoller is a regular PlayPenn Conference dramaturg. He has served as the dramaturg on the US Premiere of Ken Urban’s Sense of an Ending at 59E59 Off-Broadway and on the world premieres of Urban’s Nibbler (The Amoralists/Rattlestick), Paper Canoe’s Light at Triskelion Arts, as well as for two shows at First Person Arts; Thomas Choinacky and John Jarboe’s Beaut anad R. Eric Thomas’ Will You Accept This Friend Request?. He’s currently the Director of New Work at the Keen Company in NYC. Previously, he was the Literary Manager at Two River Theater and did additional dramaturgy/literary work with Crashbox, Disney Theatrical, The Flea, George Street Playhouse, Jewish Plays Project, Luna Stage, Musical Theatre Factory, terraNOVA Collective, and Working Theater. He’s the Founder of the national Dramaturgy Open Office Hours Project.

$75

Tuition

Sold Out!

This class is designed to offer transparency about how theaters select their seasons, and why simply sending out standard query emails and script samples probably isn’t yielding the desired results. Learn ways to focus your outreach, grow your network of collaborators and champions, represent yourself clearly in queries and artist statements, and ultimately play a more active role in getting your plays where they are meant to be: in front of audiences.

Stay tuned…Fall Classes will be announced on September 12!

“PlayPenn has the ability to cultivate artists from the angles of playwright and actor…It is a great organization which connects artists and allowing them to hone their craft.”

-Iman A.

“Taking a PlayPenn Class you quickly realize how many talented playwrights and creative, generous artists are writing in Philly, and your own work benefits from the experience of working among them tremendously!”

-Joe
PlayPenn Conference 2016

Inspiration & Perspiration: A Writing Prompt Workshop

 1024 681 Play Penn

with Lauren Feldman

Perfect for writers of all experience levels!

Dates & Times

We will record each class session and make it available to you on a private, view only (no download) site until the next class period – so that if you miss a day, you can easily catch-up.

  • Session 1 – Said & Unsaid: Monday, July 31
    from 6:30-8:30PM EDT
  • Session 2 – Charged Environment: Monday, August 7
    from 6:30-8:30PM EDT
  • Session 3 – Raw Experience: Monday, August 14
    from 6:30-8:30PM EDT
  • Session 4 – Dreams & Shadows: Monday, August 21
    from 6:30-8:30PM EDT

Where

Online. We will use Zoom.us. It is a very simple system. You will receive a link prior to class. You click the link (same link each week) and are taken to a site that has multiple boxes (like The Brady Bunch opening credits) where you can see and chat with everyone in the class. You must have a working internet connection and a computer that has both speakers (so you can hear the teaching artist) and a microphone (so they can hear you; be advised, some computer systems require you purchase a headset to use the microphone). If you would like to investigate the system before registering for the class, check out: www.zoom.us. PlayPenn covers the cost of running the system but you are expected to participate independently. We use DropBox to share our work, if sharing is required in the class. We will record each class session and make it available to you on a private, view only (no download) site until the next class period – so that if you miss a day, you can easily catch-up.

Bio

Lauren Feldman is a queer, feminist playwright (and circus artist) who loves theatrically adventurous, physically ambitious, intimate, inquisitive, deeply honest plays – usually about outsiders, often about searchers, always about the human connection. Her plays include ANOTHER KIND OF SILENCE (PlayPenn, O’Neill Finalist, Playwrights Realm Fellowship, Drama League New Directors/New Works Fellowship); AMANUENSIS (Northwoods Ramah Theatre Company commission); THE EGG-LAYERS (Jane Chambers Honorable Mention, O’Neill Finalist, New Georges/Barnard College co-commission); A PEOPLE (Jewish Plays Project NYC Residency); GRACE, OR THE ART OF CLIMBING (Denver Center Theatre Company, Nice People Theatre Company, ATCA/Steinberg New Play Award Nomination, Barrymore Nomination, The Kilroys List); several ensemble-devised works, including AND IF YOU LOSE YOUR WAY, OR A FOOD ODYSSEY (The Invisible Dog, New York Innovative Theatre Award Nomination), LADY M (Philadelphia Live Arts Festival), and THE APOCRYPHAL PROJECT (Yale Cabaret), among others; as well as a dozen short plays and an autobiographical solo piece.

(Photo from Lauren’s Grace, or the Art of Climbing at the Denver Center.)

$125

Tuition

Class Concluded

Popular PlayPenn Teaching Artist and Conference Playwright Lauren Feldman leads you through a new writing prompt each week! The prompts will help get you/keep you inspired to write as well as offer a way to strengthen the craft elements in your playwriting tool kit.

Stay tuned…Fall Classes will be announced on September 12!

“Lauren was great! Organized, open, a mix of free discussion and specific tasks. Great class!”

-John D.

“Classes at PlayPenn bring together experienced writers with complete newbies in an incredibly supportive environment. No matter what your background, you definitely learn and grow in these classes.”

-Tabitha D.
PlayPenn Conference 2016

Seven Week Workshop

 1024 681 Play Penn

with Lauren Feldman

Join Bryn Mawr Playwriting Professor, Playwright, and popular PlayPenn teaching artist Lauren Feldman for a seven-week exploration of your new work!

Class Description

Students are invited to begin a new play during this process or develop a work-in-progress. Sessions will begin with writing prompts and end with artist-driven feedback on student-written scenes. On the final meeting of the workshop, you will hear a 10-page excerpt of your script read by professional actors. All genres and lengths of plays are welcome. This workshop is limited to 12 students.

Dates & Times

Thursday, Nov 2; Wednesday, Nov 8; Wednesday, Nov 15; (skip two weeks then continue) Thursday, Nov 30; Thursday, Dec 7; Thursday, Dec 14; Thursday, Dec 21 from 5:30-8:30pm (ET)

Where

We will be in two locations this year. All sessions will take place from 5:30-8:30pm (ET).

For the sessions on Thursday, Nov 2, Wednesday, Nov 8, and Wednesday, Nov 15 we will be at The Drake Theatre (302 S. Hicks St, Philadelphia, PA near the corner of 15th and Spruce in Center City).

For the sessions on Thursday, Nov 30, Thursday, Dec 7, and Thursday, Dec 14 we will be at the Adrienne, Second Floor Rehearsal Room (2030 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA).

For the reading on Thursday, Dec 21 we will be in the theater on the first floor of the Adrienne.

Required Prep

None. Students are invited to begin a new play during this process or develop a work-in-progress.

Bio

Lauren Feldman
Lauren Feldman is a freelance playwright, deviser, professor, and a circus performer & dramaturg. She loves theater that is brave, physical, honest, loving, and slightly impossible. Her plays include A PEOPLE (upcoming Orbiter 3 production); TO THRIVE, OR WHAT YOU WILL; ANOTHER KIND OF SILENCE; AMANUENSIS; THE EGG-LAYERS; and GRACE, OR THE ART OF CLIMBING. She has been nominated for the Wendy Wasserstein Prize, Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, ATCA/Steinberg New Play Award, New York Innovative Theatre Award, and the Doric Wilson Independent Playwright Award. A graduate of the Yale School of Drama and the New England Center for Circus Arts, she is currently a New Georges Audrey Resident, a Foundry mentor, and a proud Orbiter 3 playwright. Hailing from Miami, she’s lived in seven cities and is now based in Philadelphia. www.laurenfeldman.com

$400

Tuition

Sold Out

The Seven Week Workshop with Lauren Feldman has sold out for the Fall Semester.  Stay tuned for additional Seven Week Workshop offerings in future semesters.

Questions? Please email classes@playpenn.org.

“PlayPenn has the ability to cultivate artists from the angles of playwright and actor…It is a great organization which connects artists and allowing them to hone their craft.”

-Iman A.

“Taking a PlayPenn Class you quickly realize how many talented playwrights and creative, generous artists are writing in Philly, and your own work benefits from the experience of working among them tremendously!”

-Joe