What Producers Actually Look For in New Work
One of the biggest mistakes I see many playwrights and musical theatre writers make is believing producers are looking for “good writing.” Of course they are. But, after years of producing, directing, dramaturging, and sitting through countless readings,...
Readings Aren’t the Goal. Development is.
Readings Aren’t the Goal. Production Is. Why so many playwrights get stuck in the development loop—and how to avoid it. By Cate Cammarata If you’re writing a new play or musical, at some point you’re going to need to put it in front of an audience. There...
Why Most Theater Projects Stall
Why Most Theater Projects Stall Most theater projects do not stall because the work isn’t good. They stall because development is so difficult to sustain. A playwright begins with excitement.A composer starts hearing the score.A collaborative team...
If Your Play Isn’t Moving Forward, Read This
If Your Play Isn’t Moving Forward, Read This There’s a moment almost every playwright hits. You’ve revised the script.You’ve gotten feedback.Maybe you’ve even done a reading. And then… Nothing. No momentum.No next step.No production.No real traction. So you start...
You Don’t Have a Writing Problem. You Have a Positioning Problem.
You Don’t Have a Writing Problem. You Have a Positioning Problem. Many playwrights think the reason they aren’t getting produced is because the script “isn’t ready yet.” Sometimes that’s true. But more often? The play is not being positioned in a way that helps the...What I’m Reading
Script Analysis for Actors, Directors and Designers by James Thomas
Scene Change by Alan Harrison