Go GREEN. Read from THE SCREEN.

Writing from The Heart

Writing from The Heart
Design and execution by Meeko Marasigan

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.
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Monday, October 15, 2018

Dramaturgy for TheatreWorks Singapore: "At The End of the Road" by Pearlyn

Hello Pearlyn!

I commend you on following through with this play from our recently concluded workshop. It is currently a one-act play as you envisioned it to be, but it can and should be developed into a full-length play, not necessarily divided into acts. Otherwise every event that transpires after Sarah's accident is abrupt and functions as deus ex machina. Between Scenes 2 and 3, for example, you need to go deeper into Sarah's mind and how she comes to her decision to be a martyr for her husband's cause.

Your play swiftly generates conflict, which is a good thing. Like a clever musical composer, though, you should be able to carry it through the play and take it to the climax that it deserves. You can do this--I perceive it from reading the dialogue that you wrote between man and wife and from the psychological dynamics between them. If you succeed, you could even very well be on your way to be Singapore's modern Strindberg.

Before proceeding any further, explore the genre of noir. Read all of Cornell Woolrich's novels, beginning with The Night Has A Thousand Eyes. Your public library should have them. And then, flesh out your play.

Do not be concerned with time constraints. Enjoy what you are writing. Even if it takes you a year or more, the most important thing is that you come up with a stage-worthy, dramatic play. 

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