Writing from The Heart: Dramaturgy for Theatreworks: Ellie's Play

Writing from The Heart

"Writing from The Heart" is a workshop on creative writing, creative drawing, and creative drama. There are three available versions of this workshop: one for beginners on the secondary, tertiary, and graduate levels, and another for practitioners. A third version of this workshop is designed as an outreach program to disadvantaged and underserved audiences such as the disabled, the poor and the marginalized, victims of human trafficking, battered women and abused children, drug rehabilitation center residents, child combatants, children in conflict with the law, prisoners, and gang leaders. This third version incorporates creativity and problem awareness, conflict resolution, crisis intervention, trauma therapy, and peacemaking.

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Dramaturgy for Theatreworks: Ellie's Play

Your e-mail message:

"Hello Tony,

"Thank you again for your comments. I have made changes as follows:

"Furniture: no need to be rolled out - now furniture if any just need to be the closest to the wall as possible.

Scene 2: I totally agree with you so John is out of the picture. They are now celebrating Kathryn's birthday. Kathryn declares to the duck that the duck is her gift to herself. She goes to school and when she comes back the cooked duck is their parent's gift to her.

"Please see attached a marked up and a clean copy of the changes I made in 2 pages.

Now, I'm checking to see if my classmates can meet for a role-play reading.

"I do hope to have the chance to meet you again. When in December will you be here?

"For your information, it's time for me and my husband to return to San Diego. I'm leaving on Dec 7.

I want you to know that it was my great privilege to attend your WFTH May workshop.

"Thank you so much for everything.

"Warmest regards,

"Ellie"

My response:

Hello Ellie!

Thank you for being such a diligent playwright!

I take it that these changes are the only ones that you are willing to make.

I suggest that you rest from your work for a week, and then schedule a reading. You will need some kind of detachment before you listen to your work with new ears.

Afterward, your play is good to go for a final critiquing by a producer and a director.

Remember, once again, that theatre is teamwork. Your play will definitely undergo more changes, because it is a living document.

I will miss you! I shall be in Singapore on or about the time that you will be in the U.S.A., but I am very confident that your play will be a success!