My Blog
Why Developmental Theater Companies Matter More Than Ever
Theater is hard right now. Have you noticed? It is hard to get produced.It is hard to get attention.It is hard to build an audience.It is hard to raise money.It is hard to know which opportunity is actually worth your time and which one is just another application...
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, festivals,...
Why So Many Workshops Fail Writers
One of the hardest conversations I have with playwrights and musical theater writers is this: A workshop does not always advance development. And development does not automatically lead to a production. I've seen writers spend thousands of dollars and years of their...
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 is simply no...
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 gathers...
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...