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Rewriting the Gods: Using Myth and Fable
Explore how myths, fables, & modern classics can be re-contextualized to write compelling new work.
Class Description
Instructors: Lori Felipe-Barkin (Playwright) Semester: Summer 2026 Session: 6 Online Sessions/6 Weeks New Students: $320 Returning PlayPenn or DGI Students: $280 Foundry & Entrepreneur Members: $256 DGI Certificate Students: $256 "Rewriting the Gods: Using Myth and Fable to Write Your Plays" will explore how myths, fables, and modern classics can be re-contextualized to write compelling new works for the stage. Students will analyze mythic structure, archetype, moral framework, and symbolic storytelling, and use those tools to create the beginnings of new work. Emphasis will be placed on archetypal reinvention, political reframing, and theatrical innovation. We will be looking at three different stories from three different traditions over the course of six weeks. Each tradition will be accompanied by a pitch session and presentation of original short scenes and/or outlines. Students will then present ytheir most compelling and fleshed out ideas during the final class. Be prepared to read, think, and write a lot! LORI-FELIPE-BARKIN is playwright, performer, and voiceover artist based out of NYC and Miami. She is a 2025 Page73 writing fellow, a 2026 NYSCA grantee, and is part of the 2026 “Irons in the Fire” development series at Fault Line Theatre. Her plays include "Flor Underwater", "Ama. Egg. Oyá", and "The Peepholeman". Her work has been selected to be read at PlayPenn, Iati Theater, INTAR Theater, Playwrights Horizons, La Jolla, and BAM Fischer Theater. She has been a finalist for the 2023 Risk Theatre Award, the 2023 Austin Film Festival Playwriting Competition, and the 2024 Royer Award. She also received an honorable Mention for the 2021 Terrence McNally Award. She holds an MFA in playwriting from Brooklyn College. In addition to playwriting, Lori is a seasoned performer and deviser and has appeared in works by Team Sunshine Ltd., Third Space Collective, and Intar Theatre.
Enrollment Policies (Time Zones, Payment Plans, and Refunds)
ONLINE SCHEDULES & TIME ZONES: Most of our classes are offered online and open to participants worldwide. Our website automatically displays class start times based on your device’s current location, so you will always see the correct time no matter where you are. If you are traveling for work or personal reasons, please verify the local time shown on your device on this registration page before joining the class. For example, if a class begins at 7:00 PM U.S. Eastern Time (ET), it will appear as 4:00 PM PT when viewed from the U.S. West Coast, or 11:00 AM the next day if you are in Sydney, Australia. Many of our instructors are based in the U.S. Eastern Time (ET) zone, but not all. Once again, please double-check the local time shown on your device on this registration page before joining the class if you are traveling. IN-PERSON SCHEDULES & TIME ZONES: If the class is held in person, please note that the start time is based on the time zone of the city where the class takes place. If you book the class while traveling, be sure to use the class’s local time zone rather than the time zone of your current location. TRAVEL FOR HYBRID CLASSES: Many of our classes are held online but for time to time we offer hybrid classes where a portion of the class takes places online and a portion of the class takes place in-person. Please note the cost of the class does not include travel or housing for students to attend the in-person sessions. As well, PlayPenn cannot cover the cost of travel or housing. CLASS LINK: The hyperlink to join your respective online class(es) will be emailed to you separately from your class registration confirmation, closer to the first session. PAYMENT PLANS: PlayPenn believes that cost should never be a barrier to learning. Flexible payment plans are available, and we’re happy to work with students to find a solution that fits your needs. To inquire about setting up a payment plan, please email using the form on the Upcoming Class main page. REFUND POLICY: In order to offer a small-group class experience and pay our professional instructors consistently, please note all sales are final and tuition is not refundable. PlayPenn is not able to offer a voucher/credits towards a future purchase. Please consider this before making your purchase. Please visit our Refund Policy webpage to learn more about our other policies.
Learn More About Your Instructor
Our teaching artists are all working professional writers—award-winning playwrights and musical theatre creators—who bring real-world experience, insight, and passion to every session.
Get to know our artists by clicking a name below to read their full bio.
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