Online Seminar: Submitting Series Part I: Business of Playwriting

taught by Affiliated Writer Benjamin Benne
Monday, October 25th from 7:00pm - 8:30pm CST
Venue: 
Online via Zoom
Cost: 
$5 for Members, $15 for Non-Members

Class Type: Playwriting Career                         Class Level: All Experience Levels Welcome

When: Monday, October 25 7:00pm - 8:30pm CT 

(5:00pm PT, 6:00pm MT, 8:00pm ET)

Where: Online via Zoom, check out this quick video on the process.

Structure: Lecture, discussion, writing prompts, and exercises 

Questions: Email Alayna at alaynab@pwcenter.org

Participants must register to join this class, Sign Up at the bottom of the page


"The act of submitting can be daunting on many levels. But I think sports people say something like, 'You miss 100% of the shots you don't take.' When my ball has (seemingly) miraculously landed in the hoop, it's led to me meeting and developing relationships with some of my most beloved collaborators. It was well worth the shot."

         —Benjamin Benne

CLASS DESCRIPTION

Submitting is exhausting, it’s time-consuming, but it’s necessary. It's a part of the business of playwriting, even if it often feels mystical and ethereal. Together we'll demystify the submission process and reframe why “rejection” is the wrong word. We will also discuss different career paths in playwriting, from hobbyist to mid-career, while also defining what personal success looks like to you. Participants will leave with a foundation and examples to take with them into the upcoming submission cycle.

This Is the Class for You if You:

  • Are new to submitting.
  • Are questioning why you are (or should be) submitting.
  • Are looking for tools to improve your applications.

What to Expect:

  • To identify your aims in submitting.
  • See samples of "successful" submission applications.
  • Have the opportunity for feedback/workshopping your own applications.

Important Things to Note:

  • There is an optional pre-assignment for this seminar
  • Payment plans are available as needed, please contact Membership Programs Associate, Alayna Jacqueline Barnes, to discuss payment options

NOTE FROM BENJAMIN

This subject is important because, personally, my work came to the attention of collaborators, agents, and producing entities through open submissions when I didn't have access to sharing my work via other avenues. If you want your work to start getting known, submitting is one way to do it.

I'm looking forward to sharing with you what the submission processes that I've undertaken have taught me. How overtime I tried new approaches to my applications and how they varied in success. And how my definition of "success" has changed over time and how my reasons for submitting (or not) have also shifted.


INSTRUCTOR BIO

Benjamin Benne (he/him) is a Yale School of Drama MFA Candidate in Playwriting and represented by Paradigm Talent Agency. He is a member of the Dorothy Strelsin New American Writers Group at Primary Stages and is currently under commission from South Coast Repertory Theatre.

Awards: Portland Stage's Clauder Competition Gold Prize (2020), Arizona Theatre Company's National Latinx Playwriting Award (2019), Kennedy Center/KCACTF Latinx Playwriting Award (2019), American Blues Theater's Blue Ink Playwriting Award (2019), Chesley/Bumbalo Playwriting Award (2017), Playwrights’ Center’s McKnight Fellowship in Playwriting (2017-18) and Many Voices Fellowship (2016-17).

Development: O’Neill National Playwrights Conference, Playwrights Realm, The Lark, The Public, Roundabout, Denver Center, The Old Globe, Two River, Seattle Rep, Boston Court Pasadena, SPACE on Ryder Farm, Pillsbury House Theatre, Parley, among many others.

www.benjaminbenne.com

 


 Sign Up Below! 

Questions? Email Membership Programs Associate, Alayna Jacqueline Barnes, at alaynab@pwcenter.org 

Headshot photo of Benjamin Benne