Theater Begins Here

EPISODE SUMMARY Playwrights want their plays to be produced and for audiences to experience their stories. While searching for production opportunities, writers first look to professional or community theaters or to self-producing. Few playwrights, however, consider educational institutions and organizations. We've invited Don Zolidis to talk about his career and different ways to move your play from the page to the stage.  As always, we will respond to questions submitted via the Membership Podcast: Theater Begins Here Questions Form.

This Episode is for Those Who:

• Are interested in different paths to getting their work produced.
• Are interested in writing for young people and learning about the secondary school market.
• Have felt discouraged or frustrated with getting produced.
• Feel stuck or that their career has no way forward.
• Love Don Zolidis' work and want to listen to his thoughts, ideas, and experiences.

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HOSTS

Hannah Joyce and Alayna Jacqueline

GUEST

Don Zolidis

ANNOUNCER

H. Adam Harris

MUSIC

Julia M. Brown

Every writer wants to create a captivating, magical experience for their audience. In this episode of Theater Begins Here, we've invited Gina Femia to talk about the elusive idea of magic. How can literal illusions and magical metaphors be used to create spectacle on the stage? As always, we will respond to questions submitted via the Membership Podcast: Theater Begins Here Questions Form.

This Episode is for Those Who:

• Want to discover ways to use and describe magic in their scripts.
• Are searching for new ways to create spectacle in their plays. 
• Are interested in how other playwrights have used magic.
• Love Gina Femia's work and want to listen to their thoughts, ideas, and experiences.

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HOSTS

Hannah Joyce and Alayna Jacqueline

GUEST

Gina Femia

ANNOUNCER

H. Adam Harris

MUSIC

Julia M. Brown

In this episode of Theater Begins Here, we will enter the world of experimental theater. We've invited theater maker Rachel Jendrzejewski to join us to share how she defines, explores, and creates experimental work. As always, we will respond to questions from the live audience or those submitted via the Membership Podcast: Theater Begins Here Questions Form.

This Episode is for Those Who:

• Are interested in experimental theater.
• Are interested in challenging traditional theater.
• Are interested in different collaborative styles.
• Love Rachel Jendrzejewski's work and want to listen to her thoughts, ideas, and experiences.

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HOSTS

Hannah Joyce and Alayna Jacqueline

GUEST

Rachel Jendrzejewski

ANNOUNCER

H. Adam Harris

MUSIC

Julia M. Brown

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SHOUTOUTS & ART CRUSHES

For MEMORY LAWS (the Paderewski rock opera), it would be great to shoutout director Emily Mendelsohn, composers Chris Hepola and Jenna Wyse, and Tricklock Company in Albuquerque... many other incredible people have been involved along the way, but the bulk of the development happened with this team. (fwiw, I have been trying to keep a running list of people involved here: https://www.rachelka.com/memorylaws)For PASSION, I mainly want to acknowledge that it's a close collaboration with director Zoe Aja Moore. Again, many brilliant people have been instrumental along the way, but the initial concept was Zoe's and I've been honored to unpack it with her!

RESOURCES

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Submit a question to the podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Playwrights' Center Website⁠⁠

⁠Playwrights' Center Classes and Seminars

As always, we will respond to questions from the live audience or those submitted via the ⁠⁠Membership Podcast: Theater Begins Here Questions Form⁠⁠.

This Episode is for Those Who:

• Want to learn more about writing about or for young audiences. 
• Are looking to expand their audience and script libraries.
• Love Idris Goodwin's work and want to listen to his thoughts, ideas, and experiences.

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HOSTS

Hannah Joyce and Alayna Jacqueline

GUEST

Idris Goodwin

ANNOUNCER

H. Adam Harris

MUSIC

Julia M. Brown

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RESOURCES

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Submit a question to the podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Playwrights' Center Website⁠

Playwrights' Center Classes and Seminars

As always, we will respond to questions from the live audience or those submitted via the ⁠Membership Podcast: Theater Begins Here Questions Form⁠.

This Episode is for Those Who:

• Are interested in horror and dark fantasy
• Are interested in exploring the different shapes and forms of dark fantasy writing.
• Want to explore non-realism.
• Are interested in worldbuilding.

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HOSTS

Hannah Joyce and Alayna Jacqueline

GUEST

Riti Sachdeva

ANNOUNCER

H. Adam Harris

MUSIC

Julia M. Brown

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RESOURCES

⁠⁠⁠⁠Submit a question to the podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Playwrights' Center Website⁠

Theater is a collaborative art form; yet playwrights can feel deeply isolated in their work. However, what does it look like when writers bring in another artist to their practice? With guest artist Tory Stewart, we'll dive into the collaborative relationship between writers and actors. How can an actor help guide the writing process? How do you write specifically for or with an actor? As always, we will respond to questions from the live audience or those submitted via the Membership Podcast: Theater Begins Here Questions Form.

This Episode is for Those Who:

• Are interested in writing for a specific actor.
• Would like to create a devised theater piece. 
• Would like to learn about collaboration amongst different theater artists.
• Love Tory Stewart's work and want to listen to her thoughts, ideas, and experiences.

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HOSTS

Hannah Joyce and Alayna Jacqueline

GUEST

Victoria Stewart

ANNOUNCER

H. Adam Harris

MUSIC

Julia M. Brown

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RESOURCES

⁠⁠⁠Submit a question to the podcast⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Playwrights' Center Website⁠

Whether it's staring at a blank page or a complete draft of your script, writer's block can sometimes hold us captive. In this episode of Theater Begins Here, we've invited Nubia Monks to talk about how she takes on this challenge as a writer and actor. As always, we will respond to questions from the live audience or those submitted via the Membership Podcast: Theater Begins Here Questions Form.

This Episode is for Those Who:

• Feel stuck in their writing.
• Are terrified of a blank page.
• Are looking for new strategies to keep moving forward with their writing.
• Love Nubia Monk's work and want to listen to her thoughts, ideas, and experiences.

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HOSTS

Hannah Joyce and Alayna Jacqueline

GUEST

Nubia Monks

ANNOUNCER

H. Adam Harris

MUSIC

Julia M. Brown

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RESOURCES

⁠⁠Submit a question to the podcast⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Playwrights' Center Website⁠

In this episode of Theater Begins Here, we will explore what it means to subvert and reshape classic stories and their story structures, styles, and plots for the stage. We've invited Emilio Williams to talk about his experience with adaptations and discovering ways to make classics relevant today. As always, we will respond to questions from the live audience or those submitted via the Membership Podcast: Theater Begins Here Questions Form.

This Episode is for Those Who:

• Interested in adapting creative work for the stage.
• Interested in adapting or refreshing classics to stay relevant to today.
• Are interested in how writing for theater includes but goes beyond dialogue and stage directions. 
• Those who want to hear more about Emilio's play ¡Bernarda! directed by Wendy Mateo, it's a fresh new take on the classic by Federico García Lorca, The House of Bernarda Alba. Teatro Vista will produce this fall world premiere of ¡Bernarda!, co-presented by Steppenwolf at their 1700 Theater (October 18th, 2023 - November 19th, 2023).

• Love Emilio Williams' work and want to listen to his thoughts, ideas, and experiences.

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HOSTS

Hannah Joyce and Alayna Jacqueline

GUEST

Emilio Williams

ANNOUNCER

H. Adam Harris

MUSIC

Julia M. Brown

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RESOURCES

⁠Script Club⁠

⁠Submit a question to the podcast⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Playwrights' Center Website⁠

Writing translations for scripts requires a unique type of artistry and mastery of the playwriting craft. In this episode of Theater Begins Here, we've invited Wendy Weckwerth to join us and share her experience as a writer and dramaturg with translations. As always, we will respond to questions from the live audience or those submitted via the Membership Podcast: Theater Begins Here Questions Form.

This Episode is for Those Who:

• Are interested in different writing career paths.
• Are interested in learning about translations.
• Love Wendy Weckwerth's work and want to listen to her thoughts, ideas, and experiences.

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HOSTS

Hannah Joyce and Alayna Jacqueline

GUEST

Wendy Weckwerth

ANNOUNCER

H. Adam Harris

MUSIC

Julia M. Brown

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RESOURCES

Script Club

Submit a question to the podcast

⁠⁠⁠Playwrights' Center Website

Writing the book and lyrics for a new musical involves a different balancing act of a playwright. We've invited guest artist, Katie Ka Vang, to talk about all the discoveries, challenges, and opportunities of the new musical development process. As always, we will respond to questions from the live audience or those submitted via the Membership Podcast: Theater Begins Here Questions Form.

This Episode is for Those Who:

• Are interested in musical theater or plays with music
• Are interested in the process of writing the book vs. lyrics vs. music
• Are interested in collaborating with composers
• Love Katie Ka Vang's work and want to listen to her thoughts, ideas, and experiences with the new musical theater process. 

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HOSTS

Hannah Joyce and Alayna Jacqueline

GUEST

Katie Ka Vang

ANNOUNCER

H. Adam Harris

MUSIC

Julia M. Brown

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RESOURCES

⁠⁠Theater Begins Here⁠⁠

⁠⁠Membership Classes⁠⁠

⁠⁠Playwrights' Center Website

“Self Producing” or “Indie Theatre” is the act of responsibly and ethically realizing your visions onstage independently.  In this episode of Theater Begins Here, we have invited, Olivia Lilley, to talk about the successes, challenges, and importance of self-productions. As always, we will respond to questions from the live audience or those submitted via the Membership Podcast: Theater Begins Here Questions Form.

This Episode is for Those Who:

• Are interested in creating your own opportunities.
• Are interested in the production process.
• Want to create a high-quality self-production.
• Are an independent playwright, director, and anyone on a Creative Team who wants to add a producer to your title.
• Are interested in how to ethically and inclusively produce theatre in person and online.
• Want to learn how to empower artists to take back their agency and control from institutions.
• Are interested in exploring theater in your own city.
• Love Olivia's work and want to listen to her thoughts, ideas, and experiences in the world.

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HOSTS

Hannah Joyce and Alayna Jacqueline

GUEST

Olivia Lilley

ANNOUNCER

H. Adam Harris

MUSIC

Julia M. Brown

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RESOURCES

⁠⁠Theater Begins Here⁠⁠

⁠⁠Membership Classes⁠⁠

⁠⁠Playwrights' Center Website

Sharing personal narratives and biographical events in our plays is a very vulnerable challenge. In this episode of Theater Begins Here, we have invited guest, Tylie Shider, to discuss sharing personal narratives and biographical events in our plays and how to approach such a vulnerable--and sometimes intimidating--challenge.. As always, we will respond to questions from the live audience or those submitted via the Membership Podcast: Theater Begins Here Questions Form.

This Episode is for Those Who:

• Are inspired by history and personal narrative
• Are interested in oral storytelling
• Love Tylie's work and want to listen to him share his ideas, thoughts, and experiences.

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HOSTS

Hannah Joyce and Alayna Jacqueline

GUEST

Tylie Shider

ANNOUNCER

H. Adam Harris

MUSIC

Julia M. Brown

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RESOURCES

⁠Theater Begins Here⁠

⁠Membership Classes⁠

⁠Playwrights' Center Website

In this episode of Theater Begins Here, we have invited our three talented apprentices, Emma, Franny, and Kennedy, to talk about why they chose to work with us, what their experience has been so far, and what advice they'd give to those interested in applying. As always, we will respond to questions from the live audience or those submitted via the Membership Podcast: Theater Begins Here Questions Form.

This Episode is for Those Who:

• Are interested in a year-long apprenticeship with the Playwrights' Center.
• Want to learn more about the new play development process.
• Have thought about exploring the Twin City theater and performing arts scene.
• Want to get to know and hear all the details from Emma, Franny, and Kennedy.

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HOSTS

Hannah Joyce and Alayna Jacqueline

GUEST

Emma Swain, Franne Felming, and Kennedy Jones

ANNOUNCER

H. Adam Harris

MUSIC

Julia M. Brown

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RESOURCES

Theater Begins Here

Membership Classes

Playwrights' Center Website

As always, we will respond to questions from the live audience or those submitted via the Membership Podcast: Theater Begins Here Questions Form.

This Episode is for Those Who:

• Are interested in different writing career paths.
• Have experienced invisible success.
• Want tips on how to have a sustainable career.
• Want to hear about Bess's journey of discovering her invisible success.

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HOSTS

Hannah Joyce and Alayna Jacqueline

GUEST

Bess Frankel

ANNOUNCER

H. Adam Harris

MUSIC

Julia M. Brown

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RESOURCES

Theater Begins Here

Membership Classes

Playwrights' Center Website

In this episode of Theater Begins Here, we invite Alexis Williams to help demystify the road to getting an agent and whether having one makes or breaks your career. Although this is not a live session, we will respond to questions submitted via the Membership Podcast: Theater Begins Here Questions Form.

This Episode is for Those Who:

• Are interested in getting an agent.
• Are wondering if they need an agent.
• Want to know if/how agents change their career.
• Want to get to know Alexis and her journey and experiences being an agent and associate artistic director

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HOSTS

Hannah Joyce and Alayna Jacqueline

GUEST

Alexis Williams

ANNOUNCER

H. Adam Harris

MUSIC

Julia M. Brown

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RESOURCES

Theater Begins Here

Membership Classes

Playwrights' Center Website

Playwrights' Center Fellowships and Core Writer Program

As always, we will respond to questions from the live audience or those submitted via the Membership Podcast: Theater Begins Here Questions Form.

This Episode is for Those Who:

• Are interested in dramaturgy.
• Don't know what dramaturgy is or why they might need it.
• Want to work with a dramaturg.
• Are interested in different writing career paths.
• Want to get to know Lynde and her experience with the creative process.

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HOSTS

Hannah Joyce and Alayna Jacqueline

GUEST

Lynde Rosario

ANNOUNCER

H. Adam Harris

MUSIC

Julia M. Brown

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RESOURCES

Theater Begins Here

Membership Classes

One-on-One Dramaturgy Sessions

Script Club

Playwrights' Center Website

Playwrights' Center Fellowships and Core Writer Program

Theater Begins Here 

Membership Classes 

A step-by-step guide to producing by Anna Nicholas

Playwrights' Center Website 

Playwrights' Center Fellowships and Core Writer Program

This is an introductory episode, where the Membership and Education team (Hannah Joyce and Alayna Jacqueline) will talk about the upcoming education season, new script feedback programming, member survey, and more. Additionally, we will respond to questions from the live audience or those submitted via the Membership Podcast: Theater Begins Here Questions Form.

This Episode is for Those Who:

• Want to learn more about the Playwrights' Center's Membership and Education programming.
• Want to find a way to connect with other Playwrights' Center members.
• Want to ask specific questions to the Membership and Education team.

*We had some mic issues for this first LIVE recording, which we have fixed for future episodes. 

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HOSTS

Hannah Joyce and Alayna Jacqueline

MUSIC

Julia M. Brown

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RESOURCES

• Theater Begins Here
• Membership Classes
• Playwrights' Center Website
• Playwrights' Center Fellowships and Core Writer Program
• University Course Program