PLAY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

Our move to a totally electronic competition is an effort to utilize the Internet to best advantage. In like manner, we are re-examining the way we support play development. Our thought is to continue providing individualized instruction in the Dallas area. This effort will be undertaken by John Navarro. We are partnering with the Festival of Independent Theaters to provide a superior play development program to meet the needs of our local talent. Please revisit our website to learn more about this new endeavor. At the same time, we believe there exists the real possibility of matching promising talent outside of the Dallas area with a guiding mentor using the Internet. Jack Marshall is spearheading this project. We hope to launch that initiative in the Spring of 2005. Participation is open to any person who can demonstrate a serious interest in and committment to writing for the theater, from someone trying to write their first play to the produced playwright. The following are the elements we try to provide our in mentoring program. Observation is the occasional pairing of a Member with a local cooperating theater, subject to availability, to observe the production and rehearsal process. Mentoring pairs a Member with the Artistic Director, a more experienced Member playwright or a director (when available) to explore developmental problems. Seminars are conducted periodically by the Artistic Director or visiting theater professionals on various aspects of writing for the stage. Fields trips are made to see local productions, followed, when possible, by a discussion with the director and cast. Cold Reading without rehearsal of an early or rough draft before Theater members to allow the playwright to explore his developmental problems and to get feedback from his colleagues. The reading is followed by a guided discussion between the playwright and Members. Rehearsed Reading of an early but more developed play, with limited rehearsal, followed by a discussion with Theater members and invited guests. Public Reading of the play at a more advanced stage, rehearsed with a director, and presented in a theater before the public, followed by a discussion among the playwright, actors, director, Members and the audience. A public reading is for one evening. Workshop is a performance, with limited set, lighting, props and costumes, of the play deemed to be ready for a public presentation. The workshop usually is presented three evenings. Production - a commercial production of the play which, in the opinion of the Artistic Director and the Selection Committee, is worthy. Qualification for a particular Developmental Program also is based upon the applicant’s work, as determined by the Artistic Director. The acceptance of a play for a workshop or production, shall be by the Selection Committee upon the recommendation of the Artistic Director.

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