Writing from The Heart: Dramaturgy for TheatreWorks Singapore: Samantha

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.

Monday, January 5, 2015

Dramaturgy for TheatreWorks Singapore: Samantha

"The Whole Package"

Hello Samantha!

Your work in progress is certainly a far cry from the draft you first submitted. Proceed with it. Ensure that your acts are symmetrical. Ensure that all of your characters are well-rounded; don't relegate Melissa and Stephen to supporting roles.

Be very careful with your dialogue. People don't talk the way writers write. They hardly talk in complete and idiomatic sentences. For example, you have a line that reads, "But I already cut down the amount of sugar by half." In reality, a performer onstage would simply say "I've cut down the sugar."

Do send me your complete play as soon as possible. Your treatment and handling of emotions are refreshing and written straight from the heart.