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 PlayGym Forums
In an effort to accommodate playwrights from outside of our immediate region, all Spring 2024 PlayGym sections will be offered virtually via Zoom.
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 Darin F. Earl II
To read more about Darin, click here.
Tuesdays 7pm to 10pm*
Tuesdays 4/2, 4/9, 4/16, (Skip a Week) Monday 4/30, and Tuesday 5/7 7:30 pm to 10:00pm*
*Please note we skip a week and one session will be held on a Monday evening.*
Fee: $200
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.
Full Lengths and Long One Acts
For writers working on completed drafts of full-length or long one-act plays
with PlayGym Dramaturg Georgette Hamlett
To read more about Georgette, click here.
Wednesdays 7 pm to 10 pm
5/8, 5/15, 5/22, 5/29 and 6/5
Fee: $200
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.
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.
The New Jersey Play Lab 