SSU

Playwriting Oct 2001

Had a good day?

I’ve been writing plays for about 30 years …first published when I was 21.. over 100 plays and musicals published…

Really… not that big a deal. Chillocothe: “Dead probably”

I’ve learned one thing about playwriting: The writing of the play is relatively easy..even enjoyable..it’s the idea. Three steps in writing a play discovering what you want to say finding a way..a method to say it writing the play (and re-writing and re-writing)

Hard to believe, but step #1 is the most-often skipped by beginning playwrights.

What is a play? Making an important statement about a big idea using a small example. Ragtime… step one: America is a great nation and great and diverse people made it. Step two: tell the story through three families..use the musical form. Step three: they wrote the play. Someone name a straight play or serious musical that we might all know?

You each have a play inside you…actually, many plays. All of which, we’d like to see.

Who are you? Where are you from? What’s your grandma like? Has disease hit your family? When was the last time you cried? What do you honestly think of me right now? Have you met anyone today you think you’d like to date?

We are not in New York or London or Calcutta. No matter where you live, your life experiences are limited to what you’ve actually seen, heard, and felt.

Today: BRAINSTORMING.

Let me tell you about one play: … Toad in the Hole came from this idea

Not an uncommon method for writing …… anytime you see a show written by a team of writers, brainstorming is probably the most common method of script generation. Laughter on the 23rd floor… actually about the process.

Most Famous: A Chorus Line… from interviews with Broadway gypsies…

Used this technique, not to come up with a plot, but to flesh out a scene. Brainstormed ideas about Christmas… (Pass ball) Give it a try: When you were very small… that one gift you wanted the most and you got it. Smells of your grandma’s house. Strange way anyone here found out there was no Santa Claus? I used this method on The Legend of Black Pete (explain) …. asked kids about what they imagined Santa’s house to look like … designed a set made of candy.

Most theatre: a problem to be solved. Brainstorm problems. If you could change yourself in one way?  Angriest you’ve been lately My best work has come from anger… most recent play, Singing at Seven, formerly, A Room Full of Strangers.. Mom’s death

Nearly all drama can benefit from the brainstorming process. It’s the common, the everyday, which speaks to people. Let’s take even the most far-from-reality type of theatre, The Fantasy.

Harry Potter… it’s the everyday fears of Harry Potter that move us. Who in here used to take one, long step before getting into bed? Made sure every part of your body was covered.. especially the feet.. except for a breathing hole?  (pass ball) Tell us about the monster you used to think was somewhere in your room? What scared you most when you tried to go to sleep? The thing that speaks to everyone is the fear you had. The specifics are what’s generated by brainstorming.

Most lavish Broadway production in recent years: The Beauty and Beast, still has at its heart, the pain and heartache of someone who thinks he is not attractive. If you could change one physical trait about yourself growing up, what would it have been? Now let’s get a scene…. A time when someone really hurt you because of a remark they made about your appearance.

Comic theatre: the most enduring and popular comics have as their subject matter, the every day fears and aspirations of us all. George Carlin, Seinfeld, … No one plays Jay Leno’s or David Letterman’s monologues two years later. They’re still playing Jack Benny, Lenny Bruce, Bob Newhart, etc. long after some have died… they spoke of things which touch us all.

The worst embarrassment of your grade school years? The worst your dad has ever embarrassed you? ONSTAGE CATASTROPHES:

One danger: Sermon Diary.

I’m going to quit talking about plays and just let you talk. I’ll try not to interrupt and just let you talk…. Just listen to the script ideas you hear.

Most exhilarating moment on stage? Scariest moment onstage? Biggest thrill you ever had watching a show?

Defining moment? One talent you wish you had? What causes you to get depressed? If you could get rid of one worry... What you like best about one person in this group (just by what you’ve seen so far) When are you most lonely? One moment you’ll remember forever Describe the perfect friend One thing you wish everyone knew about you but few people do? When you were young, who was your hero? Who’s your hero now? What scared you most when you were little? Something you’d like to tell someone in this group How would you like to be remembered? Miss most away from home.

Most valuable thing..ever lost 1st Love What change to make your life better When was the last time you cried? First kiss.

The world would love to know what you’re thinking.. please tell us.. put it in dialogue ..disguise it if you like. In 1979 I began traveling all over the world, I have two honorary doctors degrees, I’ve been in love many times.. but still, the biggest thrill of my life is sitting down at my computer and simply writing something that’s never existed before.

Thanks for being such a giving group today.

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