Theater Begins Here
By Playwrights Center
Theater Begins HereNov 09, 2022
Episode Fourteen: Theater Begins... with dark fantasy
EPISODE SUMMARY
What is the dark fantasy genre in theater? Is it a spectacle? Is it all about dark magic and monsters? In this episode of Theater Begins Here, we've invited Riti Sachdeva to descend into the world of dark fantasy and all the ways it can be used to expose the ills of our society and uplift the beauty of humanity.
As always, we will respond to questions from the live audience or those submitted via the Membership Podcast: Theater Begins Here Questions Form.
This Episode is for Those Who:
- Are interested in horror and dark fantasy
- Are interested in exploring the different shapes and forms of dark fantasy writing.
- Want to explore non-realism.
- Are interested in worldbuilding.
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HOSTS
Hannah Joyce and Alayna Jacqueline
GUEST
Riti Sachdeva
ANNOUNCER
H. Adam Harris
MUSIC
Julia M. Brown
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RESOURCES
Episode Thirteen: Theater Begins... when writers and actors collaborate
EPISODE SUMMARY
Theater is a collaborative art form; yet playwrights can feel deeply isolated in their work. However, what does it look like when writers bring in another artist to their practice? With guest artist Tory Stewart, we'll dive into the collaborative relationship between writers and actors. How can an actor help guide the writing process? How do you write specifically for or with an actor? As always, we will respond to questions from the live audience or those submitted via the Membership Podcast: Theater Begins Here Questions Form.
This Episode is for Those Who:
- Are interested in writing for a specific actor.
- Would like to create a devised theater piece.
- Would like to learn about collaboration amongst different theater artists.
- Love Tory Stewart's work and want to listen to her thoughts, ideas, and experiences.
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HOSTS
Hannah Joyce and Alayna Jacqueline
GUEST
Victoria Stewart
ANNOUNCER
H. Adam Harris
MUSIC
Julia M. Brown
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RESOURCES
Episode Twelve: Theater Begins... with writer's block
EPISODE SUMMARY
Whether it's staring at a blank page or a complete draft of your script, writer's block can sometimes hold us captive. In this episode of Theater Begins Here, we've invited Nubia Monks to talk about how she takes on this challenge as a writer and actor. As always, we will respond to questions from the live audience or those submitted via the Membership Podcast: Theater Begins Here Questions Form.
This Episode is for Those Who:
- Feel stuck in their writing.
- Are terrified of a blank page.
- Are looking for new strategies to keep moving forward with their writing.
- Love Nubia Monk's work and want to listen to her thoughts, ideas, and experiences.
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HOSTS
Hannah Joyce and Alayna Jacqueline
GUEST
Nubia Monks
ANNOUNCER
H. Adam Harris
MUSIC
Julia M. Brown
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RESOURCES
Episode Eleven: Theater Begins... with adaptations
EPISODE SUMMARY
In this episode of Theater Begins Here, we will explore what it means to subvert and reshape classic stories and their story structures, styles, and plots for the stage. We've invited Emilio Williams to talk about his experience with adaptations and discovering ways to make classics relevant today. As always, we will respond to questions from the live audience or those submitted via the Membership Podcast: Theater Begins Here Questions Form.
This Episode is for Those Who:
- Interested in adapting creative work for the stage.
- Interested in adapting or refreshing classics to stay relevant to today.
- Are interested in how writing for theater includes but goes beyond dialogue and stage directions.
- Those who want to hear more about Emilio's play ¡Bernarda! directed by Wendy Mateo, it's a fresh new take on the classic by Federico García Lorca, The House of Bernarda Alba. Teatro Vista will produce this fall world premiere of ¡Bernarda!, co-presented by Steppenwolf at their 1700 Theater (October 18th, 2023 - November 19th, 2023).
- Love Emilio Williams' work and want to listen to his thoughts, ideas, and experiences.
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HOSTS
Hannah Joyce and Alayna Jacqueline
GUEST
Emilio Williams
ANNOUNCER
H. Adam Harris
MUSIC
Julia M. Brown
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RESOURCES
Episode Ten: Theater Begins... with translations
EPISODE SUMMARY
Writing translations for scripts requires a unique type of artistry and mastery of the playwriting craft. In this episode of Theater Begins Here, we've invited Wendy Weckwerth to join us and share her experience as a writer and dramaturg with translations. As always, we will respond to questions from the live audience or those submitted via the Membership Podcast: Theater Begins Here Questions Form.
This Episode is for Those Who:
- Are interested in different writing career paths.
- Are interested in learning about translations.
- Love Wendy Weckwerth's work and want to listen to her thoughts, ideas, and experiences.
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HOSTS
Hannah Joyce and Alayna Jacqueline
GUEST
Wendy Weckwerth
ANNOUNCER
H. Adam Harris
MUSIC
Julia M. Brown
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RESOURCES
Episode Nine: Theater Begins... with your first musical
Writing the book and lyrics for a new musical involves a different balancing act of a playwright. We've invited guest artist, Katie Ka Vang, to talk about all the discoveries, challenges, and opportunities of the new musical development process. As always, we will respond to questions from the live audience or those submitted via the Membership Podcast: Theater Begins Here Questions Form.
This Episode is for Those Who:
- Are interested in musical theater or plays with music
- Are interested in the process of writing the book vs. lyrics vs. music
- Are interested in collaborating with composers
- Love Katie Ka Vang's work and want to listen to her thoughts, ideas, and experiences with the new musical theater process.
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HOSTS
Hannah Joyce and Alayna Jacqueline
GUEST
Katie Ka Vang
ANNOUNCER
H. Adam Harris
MUSIC
Julia M. Brown
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RESOURCES
Episode Eight: Theater Begins... with self-producing
“Self Producing” or “Indie Theatre” is the act of responsibly and ethically realizing your visions onstage independently. In this episode of Theater Begins Here, we have invited, Olivia Lilley, to talk about the successes, challenges, and importance of self-productions. As always, we will respond to questions from the live audience or those submitted via the Membership Podcast: Theater Begins Here Questions Form.
This Episode is for Those Who:
- Are interested in creating your own opportunities.
- Are interested in the production process.
- Want to create a high-quality self-production.
- Are an independent playwright, director, and anyone on a Creative Team who wants to add a producer to your title.
- Are interested in how to ethically and inclusively produce theatre in person and online.
- Want to learn how to empower artists to take back their agency and control from institutions.
- Are interested in exploring theater in your own city.
- Love Olivia's work and want to listen to her thoughts, ideas, and experiences in the world.
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HOSTS
Hannah Joyce and Alayna Jacqueline
GUEST
Olivia Lilley
ANNOUNCER
H. Adam Harris
MUSIC
Julia M. Brown
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RESOURCES
Episode Seven: Theater Begins... with personal narrative
Do you have a personal story and think, "there's a play in there?"
Sharing personal narratives and biographical events in our plays is a very vulnerable challenge. In this episode of Theater Begins Here, we have invited guest, Tylie Shider, to discuss sharing personal narratives and biographical events in our plays and how to approach such a vulnerable--and sometimes intimidating--challenge.. As always, we will respond to questions from the live audience or those submitted via the Membership Podcast: Theater Begins Here Questions Form.
This Episode is for Those Who:
- Are inspired by history and personal narrative
- Are interested in oral storytelling
- Love Tylie's work and want to listen to him share his ideas, thoughts, and experiences.
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HOSTS
Hannah Joyce and Alayna Jacqueline
GUEST
Tylie Shider
ANNOUNCER
H. Adam Harris
MUSIC
Julia M. Brown
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RESOURCES
Episode Six: Theater Begins... With Apprenticeships
Are you an aspiring playwright, director, dramaturg, theater arts administrator, or theater artist of any discipline? Have you ever thought about being an apprentice at the Playwrights' Center?
In this episode of Theater Begins Here, we have invited our three talented apprentices, Emma, Franny, and Kennedy, to talk about why they chose to work with us, what their experience has been so far, and what advice they'd give to those interested in applying. As always, we will respond to questions from the live audience or those submitted via the Membership Podcast: Theater Begins Here Questions Form.
This Episode is for Those Who:
- Are interested in a year-long apprenticeship with the Playwrights' Center.
- Want to learn more about the new play development process.
- Have thought about exploring the Twin City theater and performing arts scene.
- Want to get to know and hear all the details from Emma, Franny, and Kennedy.
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HOSTS
Hannah Joyce and Alayna Jacqueline
GUEST
Emma Swain, Franne Felming, and Kennedy Jones
ANNOUNCER
H. Adam Harris
MUSIC
Julia M. Brown
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RESOURCES
Episode Five: Theater Begins... With Invisible Success
What are the unseen works or careers as an artist? Does success matter if some people do not see it? In this episode of Theater Begins Here, we have theater artist, Bess Frankel, joining us to talk about invisible success.
As always, we will respond to questions from the live audience or those submitted via the Membership Podcast: Theater Begins Here Questions Form.
This Episode is for Those Who:
- Are interested in different writing career paths.
- Have experienced invisible success.
- Want tips on how to have a sustainable career.
- Want to hear about Bess's journey of discovering her invisible success.
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HOSTS
Hannah Joyce and Alayna Jacqueline
GUEST
Bess Frankel
ANNOUNCER
H. Adam Harris
MUSIC
Julia M. Brown
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RESOURCES
Episode Four: Theater Begins... With An Agent?
Do I need an agent and how do I get one?
In this episode of Theater Begins Here, we invite Alexis Williams to help demystify the road to getting an agent and whether having one makes or breaks your career. Although this is not a live session, we will respond to questions submitted via the Membership Podcast: Theater Begins Here Questions Form.
This Episode is for Those Who:
- Are interested in getting an agent.
- Are wondering if they need an agent.
- Want to know if/how agents change their career.
- Want to get to know Alexis and her journey and experiences being an agent and associate artistic director
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HOSTS
Hannah Joyce and Alayna Jacqueline
GUEST
Alexis Williams
ANNOUNCER
H. Adam Harris
MUSIC
Julia M. Brown
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RESOURCES
Episode Three: Theater Begins... With Dramaturgy
What is a dramaturg? A researcher or analyst? A writing coach or sensitivity reader? A historian or speciality expert? In this episode of Theater Begins Here, we are going to demystify the role of a dramaturg. With help from our special guest, Lynde Rosario, we will discuss the different ways dramaturgs are used in theater from workshops to productions, and why they're important to the new play development process.
As always, we will respond to questions from the live audience or those submitted via the Membership Podcast: Theater Begins Here Questions Form.
This Episode is for Those Who:
- Are interested in dramaturgy.
- Don't know what dramaturgy is or why they might need it.
- Want to work with a dramaturg.
- Are interested in different writing career paths.
- Want to get to know Lynde and her experience with the creative process.
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HOSTS
Hannah Joyce and Alayna Jacqueline
GUEST
Lynde Rosario
ANNOUNCER
H. Adam Harris
MUSIC
Julia M. Brown
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RESOURCES
Episode Two: Theater Begins... Later in Life
Your career path as a writer is unique to you. Success looks different for everyone. In this episode of Theater Begins Here, we have our first guest, Stacey Rose, joining us to talk about starting a playwriting career later in life.
This Episode is for Those Who:
- Are interested in different writing career paths.
- Have recently come to playwriting as an adult or after retirement.
- Feel discouraged because their career didn't start in their early 20s and they didn't follow the "right" path.
- Feel stuck or that there is no way forward with their career.
- Love Stacey Rose's work and want to listen to her thoughts, ideas, and experiences.
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HOSTS
Hannah Joyce and Alayna Jacqueline
GUEST
Stacey Rose
MUSIC
Julia M. Brown
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RESOURCES
Episode One: Theater Begins... At the Beginning
This is an introductory episode, where the Membership and Education team (Hannah Joyce and Alayna Jacqueline) will talk about the upcoming education season, new script feedback programming, member survey, and more. Additionally, we will respond to questions from the live audience or those submitted via the Membership Podcast: Theater Begins Here Questions Form.
This Episode is for Those Who:
- Want to learn more about the Playwrights' Center's Membership and Education programming.
- Want to find a way to connect with other Playwrights' Center members.
- Want to ask specific questions to the Membership and Education team.
*We had some mic issues for this first LIVE recording, which we have fixed for future episodes.
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HOSTS
Hannah Joyce and Alayna Jacqueline
MUSIC
Julia M. Brown
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RESOURCES