Announcing The Writer's Studio at Chicago Dramatists

Chicago Dramatists proudly announces The Writer’s Studio, an umbrella for all of our public programming at our Center for New Play Development.

The Writer's Studio is a reworking of the developmental programs and classes that Chicago Dramatists offers, to increase accessibility for all of the artists in our city. In our history of play development, playwrights could engage with Chicago Dramatists in one of three ways: by applying for our Residency program, taking classes, or paying a membership fee to participate in our development programs. The Writer’s Studio now allows any writer --- from the novice to the seasoned professional --- the opportunity to engage in all levels of our public programming. Chicago Dramatists is already seeing a wider range in the ages of our program participants and greater ethnic diversity as a direct result of our efforts to expand our mission of accessible art to the community. Our MEH Lewis Fund scholarships make it possible for us to include writers who could not previously afford to partake in our programming. We have also expanded our services to give writers more access to actors and industry gatekeepers.

The following Writer’s Studio programs are now available to anyone:
Script Review: If a writer from anywhere in the world would like feedback from a professional writer or dramaturg, they may send in their script and receive a 2-3 page critique in 3 weeks. Plays, screenplays, and TV pilots are welcome.

Table Readings: An opportunity for a writer to hear their script read aloud with professional actors, and a director or dramaturg leading the post-reading discussion. A limited number of table readings are available; a link to the application form is on our website.

First Draft Reading Series: One of our most popular programs is the Tuesday night reading series of scripts read by fellow writers. First Drafters convene, cast one another in their plays, read them cold, and a playwriting professional leads a talkback with the group. There are 42 First Draft readings per year. Joining the First Draft rolling membership guarantees the participant at least one reading per year.

Classes: The classes at Chicago Dramatists are the backbone of our organization, cultivating new writers, and providing a space for more experienced writers to hone their skills or branch out into screenwriting, TV writing, solo show writing, etc. Public Programs Director Mia McCullough is dedicated to providing a varied and eclectic array of offerings. By autumn, Chicago Dramatists plans to offer on-line classes as well.

Writers’ Groups: Our new writers’ groups offer dramatic writers a space to meet with fellow writers in a similar place in their career, workshop their scripts, and meet industry professionals.

Please visit our website www.chicagodramatists.org to for further details and pricing.