PlayGym: A New Play Development Forum
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Testimonials || FAQs || Meet the Dramaturgs
PlayGym is a unique forum for playwrights to hear their work read by professional actors and to receive feedback from experienced dramaturgs in an artist-driven, supportive environment.
PlayGym was conceived as a hybrid between a playwriting class and a writers’ group and intended to be used as a Gym in which writers return again and again to workshop and Play with their new scripts while developing and strengthening their understanding of craft and structure.
What distinguishes PlayGym from a traditional playwriting class is that concepts of craft and play structure are explored through a feedback process guided by a dramaturgical approach. The intention is to have writers not only discover what works and what doesn’t work in their plays, but also to explore the language to articulate WHY something works or doesn’t work. What distinguishes PlayGym from a writers’ group is that PlayGym is led by a dramaturg, and we bring in professional actors to read the plays and participate in the feedback process.
There are two versions of PlayGym–
PlayGym: Scenes and Short Plays, for writers working on scenes from a play-in-progress, or on a short play (up to 30 minutes)
and
PlayGym: Full Lengths and Long One Acts, for writers working on completed drafts of full-length or long one-act plays.
Both versions of PlayGym follow the same process of dramaturgical feedback and engagement, promote The NJPL core values of collaboration, methodology, and excellence, and afford playwrights the opportunity to learn and reinforce what we consider to be best dramaturgical practices through the exploration of their own work and the work of others. However, there can be more room for experimentation and Play and less structural rigor in PlayGym: Scenes and Short Plays than in PlayGym: Full Lengths and Long One Acts due to the inherent nature of the form.
Playwrights who are brand new to the craft of playwriting are encouraged to take the NJPL Foundations Workshop prior to registering for PlayGym, and to begin with a Scenes and Short Plays forum prior to a Full Lengths and Long One Acts forum. Beyond that, playwrights of all emerging and professional career levels are encouraged to participate in both versions of PlayGym, depending upon what material they are currently working on.
Testimonials from PlayGym playwrights
“PlayGym is the best online play workshop I’ve attended.”
“If you’re a New Jersey playwright, or want to be, and you want specific, honest, and supportive guidance in writing and rewriting your plays, The New Jersey Play Lab’s workshops and programs are the answer.”
“Writing a play is hard. PlayGym makes it easier.”
Spring 2023 PlayGym
Registration for our Spring 2023 PlayGym: Full Lengths sections closes on March 27th (April 15th for Scenes and Short Plays). If you missed this session and would like to be notified when dates for our next sessions are announced, please email info@njplaylab.org
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In an effort to accommodate playwrights from outside of our immediate region, all Spring 2023 PlayGym sections will be offered virtually via Zoom.
Full Lengths and Long One Acts
For writers working on completed drafts of full-length or long one-act plays
with PlayGym Dramaturg Sandrine Dupiton
Section #1
Tuesdays 7pm to 10pm
April 11th, 18th, 25th, May 2nd and 9th
Fee: $195
Class Limit: 3 writers
Section #2
Thursdays 10am to 1pm
April 13, 20, 27, May 4th and 11th
Fee: $195
Class Limit: 3 writers
Overview
Week One: Introductions
Introductions to each other, the plays, and the PlayGym dramaturgical process.
Weeks Two–Four: Readings
Each playwright is given one three-hour session in which to hear their play read aloud by professional actors, followed by a facilitated discussion.
Week Five: Group Wrap Up and Individual Conferences
A ½ hour group meeting to reflect, assess and offer feedback on the overall experience of the session, followed by 30 minute individual conferences with the PlayGym Lead Dramaturg. These conferences provide an opportunity to reflect on the feedback received and to discuss next steps.
Scenes and Short Plays
For writers working on scenes from a play-in-progress, or on a short play (up to 30 minutes).
with PlayGym Dramaturg Georgette Hamlett
Wednesdays 7pm to 10pm
May 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st
Fee: $195
Class Limit: 3 writers
Overview
Week One: Introductions
Introductions to each other, the plays, and the PlayGym dramaturgical process.
Weeks Two–Four: Readings
Each week, playwrights are given 50 minutes in which to hear their scene/short play read aloud by professional actors, followed by a facilitated discussion. Playwrights can choose to use their (3) 50-minute slots however they choose. They can present the same work, revised, three times, or different work each week.
Week Five: Group Wrap Up and Individual Conferences
A ½ hour group meeting to reflect, assess and offer feedback on the overall experience of the session, followed by 30 minute individual conferences with the PlayGym Lead Dramaturg. These conferences provide an opportunity to reflect on the feedback received and to discuss next steps.
FAQS
How do I know if PlayGym is the right choice for me?
- At minimum, you have some basic training in playwriting and understand the terminology of the craft.
- You are self-directed in setting goals, writing and rewriting outside of class, determining what material you want to bring in, and in articulating specific goals you have in wanting to hear it read.
- You are genuinely open to feedback and have a desire to further develop your play.
- You are willing to give thoughtful feedback to your fellow playwrights through a structured, facilitated discussion.
NOTE: Playwrights who are brand new to the craft of playwriting are encouraged to take the NJPL Foundations Workshops prior to registering for PlayGym, and to begin with a Scenes and Short Plays forum prior to a Full Lengths and Long One Acts forum. Beyond that, playwrights of all emerging and professional career levels who share these traits listed below are encouraged to participate in both versions of PlayGym, depending upon what material they are currently working on.
Do I need to submit the play I’ll be working on when registering for a class?
We ask all playwrights interested in taking a PlayGym Forum to send us their play prior to completing the registration process. There is no curation or acceptance process for PlayGym. We only want to ensure that PlayGym is the right fit for you and your work, as opposed to another one of our programs.
What if I am unsure of what play I want to work on or I am still in the process of writing it?
No problem! We’ll ask that you send us a writing sample of another play you have written and if applicable, send us a brief description of the play you plan to work on.
How will casting work for the reading of my play(s) in PlayGym?
The lead dramaturg will cast the readings. We have an Acting Company as well as casting files of many wonderful actors who have experience working in our forums, and these are the actors we use most frequently for the PlayGym readings. However, there will be opportunities for you to express any requests, concerns, or specific needs for the casting of your play and the Lead Dramaturg will make every effort to accommodate.
Please note that for plays in a Full Lengths and Long One Acts Forum, we will pay close attention to your character descriptions and do our best to cast accordingly. For our Scenes and Short Plays Forum, we take a different approach and gather a diverse ensemble of PlayGym-trained actors who will take on multiple roles week to week, allowing us to focus on hearing the text rather than “production-casting.” While this may mean in some cases, you have actors reading across age, race, or gender, we have found that this allows our playwrights the greatest amount of flexibility in selecting what to bring in week to week and in many cases have even broadened our playwrights’ conception of who a character is or could be. Please note that if there is a role for which it is very important to you that the actor aligns with your character description, please list this request when you register for the session, and we will do our best to make sure we have an actor in our ensemble who meets those specifications.
I have actors that I really like to work with. Can I bring them into the process for my reading?
How wonderful that you have found actors that you feel “click” with your work! The New Jersey Play Lab has a company of actors who are trained in new play development and who we work with regularly. However, we want to serve playwrights in the development process as best we can, so we are always open to new suggestions of actors.
I really want to take PlayGym, but I am not available at the times you are currently offering it. What should I do?
We appreciate your interest! Since each PlayGym section is designed for a small number of writers, we are constantly assessing the need to add additional sections. Please sign up here to indicate your interest in additional sections and indicate the times you would be available to attend.
Our forums are designed for a small number of students to allow for a more intimate experience. However, keeping our forums small means that we must meet that enrollment in order to run them.
Please note that cash refunds will ONLY be issued in the event that a section is cancelled by The New Jersey Play Lab. An enrolled student may withdraw up to one month prior to the start of the session and receive a credit for a future semester.
For any questions, please contact info@njplaylab.org.
Meet the Dramaturgs
Sanjida Chowdhury
Sanjida Chowdhury is an actor and writer. Recently, she has received her Masters in Theatre from Montclair State University. Before that, she obtained an English degree with a concentration in Creative Writing from Rutgers University. Sanjida was a PlayGym Apprentice throughout 2021. Her previous work includes being the House Manager/ Administrative Assistant at Luna Stage. Currently, she is Assistant Manager at OrangeTheory, a fitness studio where she works in sales and operations.
Sandrine Dupiton
Sandrine is a story and truth teller by nature and practice. She is a creative and coach who enjoys lending her incisive analysis and vision to support getting to the truth, and the beauty and precision of bringing the imagination to life — whether as a published poet, playwright, storytelling facilitator, spiritual life coach, retreat facilitator, educator, social entrepreneur or leader. She started her professional career as an English teacher and after a few posts as Department Chair across the tri-state area, and starting a business that served young Black and Brown girls in developing holistic leadership and social justice journalism skills, Change X: Journalism & Leadership Institute, she went on to become an arts education non profit leader working with youth in social justice, spoken word and theater. She served as an Artistic Associate at Luna Stage where she performed her one woman show, Listen: an intimate communion. The show combined storytelling, retreat facilitation, audience engagement and reflection, and teachings around nonviolent communication and soulful discernment practices – encouraging the power of listening deeply. Her work as an astrologer and spiritual coach reflect her deep interest in archetypal energies and supports her depth of insight in supporting a play’s development as a dramaturg.
She has long served as a contributing writer for African Voices Magazine and with Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film & Lecture Series as a film festival judge and a Screenwriting Lab Coordinator. As a Poets & Writers grant recipient she cultivated her own creative and healing program for women, LET GO: an experiential poetry workshop. She most recently worked as a Teaching Artist with BAM in their Artistic Critical Response Summer Program for teen artists for the critically acclaimed What to Send Up When It Goes Down by playwright Aleshea Harris. She has developed curriculum and programs that infuse Healing Centered Engagement pedagogy and the praxis of neurobiology as a means to teach youth and adults to regulate their nervous systems (integral to healing and responding to traumas) and use the arts to support communities in doing so.
Her work is infused by her commitments to artistry, healing and a pointed and clear perspective rooted in justice and broad mindedness.
Emily Dzioba
Emily (she/her), Associate Dramaturg and Artistic Director of the Storyteller Studio, is a dramaturg, creative administrator, and educator. She continues to provide artistic support the Residency play selections and in PlayGym. Other artistic homes have included Theater Masters; George Street Playhouse; Tectonic Theater Project and the Moment Work Institute; Keen Company; the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey; and the Writers Theatre of New Jersey. Along with new play development, she is interested in the research and development of devised and ensemble generated work. Emily is a reader for Premiere Stages, She NYC Arts, and the Playwrights Foundation/ Bay Area Playwright’s Festival. Currently, she is the Managing Director of the Strides Collective. She also holds a position with Night Castle Management. When not doing any of those things, she also produces an interview and story-based podcast, “Once Upon a Time: A Storytelling Podcast”. Emily is a proud member of LMDA and ATHE. BA, Drew University. You can read more about her on her website, here.
Darin F. Earl II
Darin F. Earl II (he/him/his & they/them/theirs) is a Garden State native, delighted to contribute to the beautiful culture that The NJ Play Lab has fostered. As a member of the Play Lab’s Acting Company, he is honored to offer incoming playwrights the encouragement and success that the Play Lab provides. With a background in theatre and journalism, he has nestled into communities, fostering environments of support and collaboration amongst artists as an actor, playwright, teaching artist, and arts administrator. Darin attended Rider University for Theatre Performance along with studies in Journalism, emerging as the only Black Theatre Performance graduate in the Class of 2016. As a First-Generation, Queer artist, Darin has made an effort to lead with love and create with care since stepping foot into the Jersey scene. He has been involved with theatre organizations such as The New Jersey Creative Arts Collaborative, New Jersey Repertory Theatre, The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, Luna Stage, and Dreamcatcher Repertory Theatre.
As one of Newark’s Finest Ambassadors, he’s performed since his youth, attending the Newark Boys Chorus School in Newark, NJ. Since then, he’s performed on stages from Upstate New York down to the Cayman Islands and over to Croatia. In 2014, he attended St. Mary’s University of Twickenham in England, UK and in 2017, he traveled with his alma mater to perform in the International Student Dionysian Festival in Đakovo, Croatia. He has also travelled to Los Angeles, California and Charlotte, North Carolina for featured roles in filmed series. With momentum for development, production, and direction, Darin co-founded Visions Productions and North Corner Theatre, two production companies with the intent to assemble an artist collective dedicated to fostering artistic opportunities for our youth. In 2019, Darin was the Interim Director of Education for Writers Theatre of New Jersey. Presently, Darin works in digital media as a webcast production assistant for a corporate creative studio. Aside from his involvement in the artistic community, Darin is an advocate for the Queer community as a member of Beta Gamma Chi Fraternity, Inc. He also is an administrator at HPI School of Allied Health, and a registered pharmacy technician. To follow Darin’s journey, follow him on Instagram: @OfficialDarinEarl.
Georgette Hamlett
Georgette Hamlett is a dramaturg, writer, and director. Based in North Carolina, she has worked with theaters and artists in her home state and New Jersey. As a queer woman from Appalachia, Georgette is passionate about the push for greater arts accessibility in the South, and countering negative, non-diverse portrayals of the region. She has presented research at the National Women’s Theatre Festival, the Mid-Atlantic Theatre Festival, and the International Thornton Wilder Conference. An avid Wilder enthusiast, two of her papers have been published in the Thornton Wilder Journal. Georgette received her Master’s degree in Theatre Studies from Montclair State University. She also holds a Bachelor’s of English from Salem College in Winston-Salem, NC. In her day job, Georgette balances between a preschool assistant and the elementary performing arts director for High Point Friends School. Her dramaturgical interests include theatrical narrators, audience interaction, metatheatricality, and horror theatre.
James Kenna
James Kenna (he/him/his) is a dramaturg, writer, and educator. He has called many theatre’s artistic homes such as Steppenwolf Theatre Company, The Hangar Theatre, Dreamcatcher Theatre, and The 52nd Street Project. His work often explores the collision of fantasy and reality, with a specialized interest in heightened language, non-linearity, theatrical impossibilities, and humor. James is represented by UIA Talent Agency.
Select recent credits include: Film: The Garden Will Not Crumble (Short Film, ACT Skyfest 2021). Plays: “Beowulf: Her Story” (Dragonfly Theatre Finalist, Slated for 2020 Edinburgh Fringe Festival Postponed due to COVID-19, and Featured on The Subtext Podcast). Writer for Tsquared Theatre Company’s New Works Festival, “Italian Rose: A Solo Show” (Ars Nova Grant, Developed at Fordham University). “The Key: A Solo Show” (Fordham University).
James has also been seen on stage at The Hangar Theatre, The Edinburgh Fringe, Symphony Space, and various small spaces in New York City. During the day James works as a New York City Ironworker, erecting columns and beams for skyscrapers. James received his BA from Fordham University with awards in distinguished achievement. You can learn more about him and his work on his website here.
Alexis Morgan
Alexis Krysten Morgan is a playwright, educator, and advocate who desires to use her art to create healing spaces for communities of color and individuals with exceptionalities. She has been a fellow with Company One Theatre in Boston, MA, and TC Squared Theatre Company in Cambridge, MA. Her short plays CONCRETE DREAMS, THE POLITICS OF MARRIAGE, and KNOW WHO YOU ARE were produced by TC Squared. Her play, CONCRETE DREAMS had a full staged reading with TC Squared in 2020. Other works including SHOW ME and ACTS OF JOY were presented and commissioned as part of Company One’s series. Her television pilot, BY THE WAYSIDE, made it to the 2nd round of Sundance’s 2021 Episodic Lab. Most recently, her play, FOLLOWING THE RULES was part of Boston’s Theatre Marathon’s festival. Her one-act play, REPAST, has an upcoming online reading with TC SQUARED.
The New Jersey Play Lab 