Sundays, Oct 10 - Oct 10
1:00 pm - 3:30 pm
How to write a play: The basics of dramatic storytelling and more
The Muse and Norfolk Little Theatre are partnering to present a 4-week introductory course on the art of playwriting. The course will focus on understanding basic dramatic structure: how do you keep a plot moving? What are the three things you should never have a character say? How do you show, not tell? How do you write “off-the-nose” and what does that mean anyway? How do you tell a story when all you have is dialogue?
These elements are, in fact, crucial for any fiction or non-fiction writer. Many prose writers have taken playwriting courses only to find out that their grasp of storytelling grew by leaps and bounds.
This free course includes four virtual 2.5-hour class sessions held in October and November. Following there will be a staged reading for the final drafts with local actors with scripts in hand and some minimal costuming and blocking. The final (free) session will be a staged reading of the plays for you and your invited audience, to be followed by a brief talkback. Moderator TBA
The plays written in this class will be one-acts of 10 – 20 minutes with casts of no more than 4 and one set. The class with by taught by Jean Klein, an internationally produced playwright and owner of a dramatic publishing company, HaveScripts/Blue Moon Plays, LLC.
To sign up, submit at least one idea (1 – 2 paragraphs) for a short play meeting the above requirements. You may submit up to three different ideas for consideration. There will be no more than six seats in this class. Accepted playwrights will be announced on October 3rd.
Please note: This class or event will be held online (using Zoom or a similar live platform). To participate, students or attendees should have a stable internet connection. Class participants: you should have a computer or device with a webcam and microphone; and your Zoom link will be automatically sent to you after you register. Check your spam box if you don't see it.