Enter, stage right: Jayne Wenger, artistic director, dramaturg, and workshop leader par excellence.I’m excited that Jayne’s writing tips were offered for the first time by The Story Woman on the TellTale Souls blog and now on THE RED ROOM. After you read Jayne Wenger’s Seven Tips for Playwrights, join her and artists from around the world this August in beautiful Assisi, Italy, for the time of your life.

SEVEN TIPS FOR PLAYWRIGHTS

Make Writing your Habit
If you don't have hours each day to write, squeeze in at least 20 minutes.Writing scenes in your head won’t work, write them down! 

Write. Rewrite
Write. Rewrite. 

Summarize your Story and Subplots
Do this just for yourself.  It will help you to stay on course.  Or, if you are veering off course, you will know it. Maybe that's the place you meant to go all along! And write a few sentences about each character. Just for yourself, again. What defines them? 

Stage Directions are Important
Don't let anyone tell you that they aren't.Think about your vision of the play.  Cut all of your "Stage Left, Stage Right, he/she sits despondently," those are Actions, and they are for the director to stage.  Help the director and designers by prefacing your play with your vision.  Is it Magic Realism?  Is is Naturalism?  What is the style of your play?  Be sure that you know what style it is.   

Keep Writing Dramatic Conflict
Who wants what in each scene and how do they go about getting it?  

Listen to People Speak
Develop your ear for dialogue by listening. Listen.  How do different characters in your own world speak? Keep listening.  Keep writing. 

Read your Play Out Loud to Yourself
You will hear the weaknesses and strengths.  This works. 

Playwrights Intensive Retreat

Vision and REVISIONJayne Wenger, Instructor         

ASSISI, ITALY August 5 - August 18, 2009

Live and write in a 12th century town in the heart of Umbria with a community of artists from around the world. The workshop will focus on plays that are in process, with emphasis on analysis and development of the script.  Writers will hear a scene or monologue daily and will receive individual dramaturgy from the instructor. In-depth and practical, this is a unique opportunity to concentrate your creative energy and let go!   Artists developing solo shows are encouraged to attend.  Emphasis is on plot, organic structure and character, with focus on building a relationship with the audience. This aspect of the workshop is tailored for writers who want to act, actors who want to write, and performers wanting to create new work. 

Jayne Wenger is a director and dramaturg whose exclusive focus is on original material. She is the past Artistic Director of the Bay Area Playwrights Foundation. She leads workshops on play development around the country, is nationally recognized for her work on new plays, and has developed the work of acclaimed playwrights nationwide.  

Additional details and information can be found at www.jaynewenger.com and www.artworkshopintl.com.