Perfect for starting a new script or developing a work-in-progress in a supportive and hands-on atmosphere!
Join PlayPenn favorite and Foundry lead artist John Yearley for this seven-week intensive. All genres and lengths of plays are welcome, as are writers at all experience levels. Sessions will begin with writing prompts and end with artist-driven feedback on student-written scenes. At the final meeting of the workshop, you will hear a 10-page excerpt of your script read by professional actors. This workshop is limited to 12 students, and spots fill quickly; reserve your seat today!
Oct. 16, Oct. 23, Oct. 30, Nov. 6, Nov. 13, Nov. 27, Dec. 4: 5:30-8:30pm
The class will be held in the Rehearsal Room of the Drake Theatre in Center City. You can enter the space from the loading dock area off of 16th & Delancey Street, where you’ll go down a flight of steps at the end of the dock. The TA will be getting there early to meet folks and guide you to the room.
Students may use this class to develop a play that is already in progress, to start a new work from scratch, or anything in between. No preparation is required.

John Yearley is the author of The Unrepeatable Moment (“Thought provoking…exhilarating…painfully hilarious” – New York Times, “Yearley is a master” – Huffington Post), Leap (Mickey Kaplan New American Play Prize, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park), Ephemera (John Gassner Award), Another Girl (PlayPenn), and Bruno Hauptmann Kissed My Forehead (Abingdon Theatre). His latest play, Eight Minutes, Twenty Seconds, was workshopped by LABryinth Theatre Company and performed at Temple University. Work for young audiences include The Last Wish (Macy’s New Play Prize for Young Audiences) and an adaptation of Sophocles’ Antigone. Short plays All in Little Pieces and A Low-Lying Fog are available
through Samuel French. He writes for the PBS Kids animated show Arthur, and previously worked as a “script doctor” for New Line Cinema. Member of the Dramatists Guild, Writers Guild, and twice a MacDowell Fellow. MFA in Playwriting from Temple University.
$425
Tuition
Register Here
When you register for a PlayPenn class before September 25, 2018, you’ll be invited to submit your unproduced, full-length play for consideration for a professional staged reading. PlayPenn will produce one student’s play as a reading with a professional director, professional actors and a PlayPenn dramaturg in Philadelphia in the spring/summer of 2019. Only plays that have not had a professional production or reading will be considered. PlayPenn will cover the cost of the reading, but the student is responsible for their own housing and transportation. If you register for a class by the deadline, additional details will be emailed to you after September 25, along with a submission form.
Click the link below to visit our Reservation Page, where you can view all classes and register for this course. For questions or to inquire about payment plans, please email classes@playpenn.org.
Email classes@playpenn.org to sign up for the waitlist and learn about similar classes next semester!