our Developmental Reading program

What is a developmental reading?

Developmental readings create a step between staged readings and Scene Nights-the point at which a play is finished, and beyond scene-by-scene workshopping, but not yet ready for a staged reading.

All developmental readings are coordinated by the Reading Series Producers: Don Hardwick and Rod McFadden.

How are plays selected for a developmental reading?

Developmental readings are selected from the submissions to the staged reading series. Deadlines remain the same. Developmental readings are time and space permitting (staged readings still have precedence) and also based on the playwright's willingness to participate in long-term revisions of his/her play.

Why would a play be ready for development, but not a staged reading?

Staged readings are plays that are extremely close to production-quality-the writer has already conducted developmental readings (either through PCSF or their own means), done multiple revisions and rewrites, and received plenty of feedback on the play as a whole.

Developmental readings provide an outlet for those revisions if the writer cannot do it him/herself. The Literary Committee evaluates each play and decide if the play is ready for a staged reading-i.e., only one or two revisions away from production-or would better benefit from more intensive revisions before staging.

All developmental readings are coordinated by the Reading Series Producers: Charley Lerrigo and Rod McFadden.

What happens in a developmental reading?

  • The format of developmental readings is similar to Scene Nights: a cold table read (the actors receive the play a week in advance), with an audience of PCSF members.
  • The critique session is run by a PCSF facilitator. It is conducted similarly to our staged reading critiques, with added specificity on points identified by the Literary Committee's evaluations.
  • As with staged readings, the playwright is responsible for making and distributing copies of the properly-formatted script to actors.
  • Admission to developmental readings is free.
  • PCSF pays for up to six actors at $25 each, and the playwright is free to find and pay for additional actors.
  • Developmental readings have no director.
  • After doing revisions, the playwright may resubmit the play for the staged reading series, but the Literary Committee may recommend further edits or developmental readings.
  • The playwright may have multiple developmental readings, time and space permitting.

How do developmental readings help playwrights?

One of the primary goals of PCSF is to develop new writers and new works. If writers do not have access to the tools necessary for full, well-rounded play development (i.e., actors, space, etc.) we want to provide that access.

Scene Nights cannot adequately address larger issues such as plot, overall character arc and development, and length and complexity of the play. A read-through of the entire play, however, can address these issues.