1. Rascal

    Rascal New Member

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    What is a playwright to do?

    Discussion in 'Traditional Publishing' started by Rascal, Jun 7, 2011.

    Hi all. I'm still new to the forum, so I hope I'm posting this in the right place.

    About half a year ago, I wrote script for a play. I barely have any experience with the stage (aside from that one time I played the white rabbit in Alice in Wonderland), so I mostly wrote it for kicks. I let a friend of mine look the script over, and we have slowly been editing it. He has a little more experience with with stage plays, since he has been in quite a few good ones.

    The script is getting to the point now where I am feeling proud of it. So is there anything I can do with the script? Can I send it to an acting troupe, and maybe they can perform it? Maybe a publisher of some kind would print it?

    If anyone has wisdom on the subject, then I would greatly appreciate it.

    Thanks.
     
  2. Eunoia

    Eunoia Contributor Contributor

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    I'm not really sure how you go about it. You could send the play to a competition if there's a suitable one. As far as getting it on stage and performing in the theatre, you'd have to find out about the theatre's submissions policy, and make sure that your play is appropriate for their programme.

    One thing I'd say though is that before you send it out anywhere to get published, it'd be a good idea to get your play performed (doesn't have to be by professional, or even good, actors). It'll help to see if there are any problems with your script that you didn't notice while editing it.

    Also, if there's a local scriptwriting or theatre group, you could perhaps join that and make contacts.
     
  3. arron89

    arron89 Banned

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    You'll never get it published unless it's been successfully performed first. Start looking for producers and theatre companies that you think would be a good fit for your project, bearing in mind that like publishing houses, certain people/groups are more suited for certain projects. Also like publishers, many producers and theatre companies won't look at works by emerging writers, so look for companies that specialise in small productions by emerging writers. Also bear in mind that there will probably be a very, very small budget for production, so make sure that the script is suited to that kind of performance.
     
  4. Rascal

    Rascal New Member

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    Thanks for the feedback. Actually, one detail I did leave out is that the play is going to be performed later this month. My buddy and I had connections with this group, and he convinced them to try out the script.

    I have some strong personal friends in the group, so I used a pseudonym to help eliminate any bias. I'm kind of waiting for the feedback I get from that.
     
  5. Magneto

    Magneto New Member

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    This is a convenient topic as I just finished writing a scene from a script of my own a few minutes ago. Mine wasn't simply for pleasure however, it was part of an application process that I'm going through in order to get on to a creative writing course in one of my local theatres.

    Where I'm going with this is that if you wish to have your play published or performed on stage, I would recommend looking for something similar. Maybe a local theatre near you is doing a course for amateur writers such as myself that you could apply for.

    I hope this helps!
     
  6. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

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    i mentor aspiring playwrights and that's all good advice...

    in re publishing, check out the info provided on samuel french's website... they've been the preeminent play publisher since the 1800s...
     
  7. Ashrynn

    Ashrynn Active Member

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    It appears you are well on your way them.

    Best of luck and let us all know how the play turns out.
     

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