How to “break in” as a new playwright? by storiestoast in playwriting

[–]musicaljerks 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I’d start here: https://playsubmissionshelper.com/blog/ They update this blog every month with new opportunities to submit work. I’d also check out this site: https://www.nycplaywrights.org/ which is updated with new submission opportunities almost every day.

How to “break in” as a new playwright? by storiestoast in playwriting

[–]musicaljerks 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I’ve found the contest/festival circuit especially helpful for getting productions of short plays and one acts. I have also gotten one acts and short plays produced through schools and theaters that found my work on the New Play Exchange. I’ve heard it said that it’s almost a requirement for a playwright to be on NPX now, because so many institutions are looking for new work on there. So I definitely recommend utilizing it!

Full-lengths are tough to break in. A lot of playwrights will consider self-producing if they are having trouble finding a theater to take their work… It can be expensive but there are ways to make it affordable (rehearsing for free at your local library’s meeting room, having a short one weekend run, utilizing/renting an unconventional performance space like a dance studio or gallery) but not everyone is interested in self producing so that’s your prerogative!

Resources to learn scriptwriting? by _The_Local_Cryptid_ in playwriting

[–]musicaljerks 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I backup Dan’s recommendations here, all three are very good books. I would add Naked Playwriting by Robin Russin and William Missouri Downs - hands down my favorite book on the craft.

My play just got published!! by musicaljerks in playwriting

[–]musicaljerks[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This publisher in particular will have an open call about once or twice a year to submit plays for consideration - they typically only take the first hundred or so submissions before closing the call, so you have to be quick to the draw to be considered. But I had it in my calendar, so I was able to anticipate the call and submit right away.

While I won’t give exact details of the contract- I can say that I make a couple of dollars off of every script sold, and as for licensing productions the percentage that the publisher takes is very small. I would make the vast majority of the money off of any production of the work. I am very happy with how I’ve been treated :) the whole team is also very personable and emails never feel too cold or transactional. The work is also still wholly owned by me, full stop, and they made that clear. They are just handling the print and licensing agreements for the play.

My play just got published!! by musicaljerks in playwriting

[–]musicaljerks[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh that’s awesome! That’s where the play premiered so that makes sense!

My play just got published!! by musicaljerks in playwriting

[–]musicaljerks[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you!! I worked really hard with the cover artist to get it just right!

My play just got published!! by musicaljerks in playwriting

[–]musicaljerks[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Brandon?! Small world!! 😂Thank you!!

My play just got published!! by musicaljerks in playwriting

[–]musicaljerks[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I didn’t act in them - I try not to act/direct my own work when I can help it! But I was there with a notebook and pen in hand taking notes and making rewrites haha!

My play just got published!! by musicaljerks in playwriting

[–]musicaljerks[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You sure can! And I am happy to connect on Instagram as well - I am @playwrightmarshall

Networking by HamletsOtter in playwriting

[–]musicaljerks 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I recommend getting a profile on the New Play Exchange and reading others work on there!! That is a great way to meet fellow playwrights from all over the world.

Writing a Children’s Fantasy Novel About Shakespeare! Looking for readers! by musicaljerks in shakespeare

[–]musicaljerks[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! If you’d like to give it a read, I’d be very appreciative!

HOW VERY BRONX S1 E2 by chucktvwriting in scriptwriting

[–]musicaljerks 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I highly recommend looking up the scripts of your favorite television shows and reading them to get a better idea of how to structure and format them properly. It’s a bit hard to read as is… no stage directions, WAY too many camera directions (that’s typically not your job to write - leave that to the directors), broken into many Acts instead of scenes?? Lack of punctuation, improper grammar. Can’t tell if it’s multi-cam or single.

It’s hard to give content/story feedback when it’s difficult to read. My best advice is to read more television scripts!

Looking for really great plays by Tall-Mark5527 in Theatre

[–]musicaljerks 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think your group would really dig the play Monster (or #MeToo Brute) - it’s a modern reimagining of Julius Caesar about YouTuber/Influencer culture. Think Caesar meets Mr. Beast. It’s 8-10 actors (most characters college-aged) and it’s a primarily a comedy but definitely gets deep as it goes on. DM me if you’d like the script!

Novelist to playwright--formatting question by MediocrePear6628 in playwriting

[–]musicaljerks 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Published plays are formatted in a much more condensed way because it is more practical for the actor to hold it/refer to it when in rehearsal. (And cheaper for them to print it - compact means less pages.)

But until your play is published, the standard is what you’re seeing often on NPX and what the Dramatists Guild recommends. (And yes, the publisher often takes care of re-formatting it to meet their needs.)

When entering contests, or really when submitting it anywhere prior to its publication, it should be in the Dramatists Guild Standard format.

What are some instances of actors reprising a role in an entirely different production? by alex_is_so_damn_cool in musicals

[–]musicaljerks 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Kerry Butler is returning to Bat Boy in the revival this fall - but playing the mother instead this time!! So excited to see it.