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Writer's guide to Developmental readings
First
of all, congratulations on getting to this point in the development of
your play! We're looking forward to your upcoming developmental
reading, and we wanted to give you some information about how the
evening will go, what your responsibilities are as a selected
playwright and how to get the most out of this opportunity. If you have
any questions about the following responsibilities and guidelines for
developmental reading playwrights, email producer.
What We Do For You We're here to make your reading as successful and useful to you as possible.
PCSF is responsible for the following:
- We cast your play.
- We do some publicizing for your reading on our website and in our newsletter.
- We manage the event.
- We facilitate the evening including the post-performance feedback session.
- If the reading is to be held in a theatre, we rent the theatre. While we don't know when theatre readings will resume, once they resume you will still be able to choose an online reading.
Playwright Responsibilities
PCSF
also hopes that you will put some time and energy into making the most
out of this staged reading opportunity. The following are your responsibilities as a selected playwright. Failure to follow these guidelines may prevent you from having another reading produced by PCSF in the future.
Playwrights must be
able to attend their developmental reading in order to see their play and
listen to the feedback session afterwards.
- Because this developmental reading is being produced
by PCSF to help you in the development of your play, it is imperative
that you are able to attend.
- Be sure to let your producing director know when
developmental reading dates are assigned for the season if you are not
able to attend any of the available dates.
Be respectful and
appreciative to your producer and the actors.
- Keep
in mind that producers and actors are not paid much for the time and
effort put into your developmental reading, so please make every effort to be
respectful and appreciative to your producer and cast.
Attend the orientation, held prior to the auditions each season.
- Your
producer will organize general auditions for all the
directors and playwrights chosen for any PCSF readings this
season. A playwright/director orientation will happen on the same
day. It is important that you are able to attend to get more
information about how your reading will be produced, and to give any
casting suggestions to your producer.
- It is ultimately the producer’s responsibility to cast your play, but your feedback is appreciated.
- You are welcome to stay for the auditions, but it is not required for the developmental reading playwrights.
Playwrights are
responsible for providing the cast with copies of your
script.
- Mail
electronic copies of the final version to the producer no later than
1½ weeks prior to the night of the reading. The producer
will distribute the electronic copies. Do not make rewrites after this
point.
- Provide printed copies of the script to the cast on
the night of the reading. These must be the same as the electronic
scripts you provided to the producer.
There is no rehearsal for a developmental reading.
- Actors will receive the script electronically at
least one week in advance of the reading and will have the chance to
read through the script and make notes or work with it several times
before the reading.
- If you would like to discuss general things with the
actors, you will have the opportunity in the half-hour before the
reading. Only give notes if they are necessary and not in the
script or if the actor has a specific question.
Playwrights are expected to work to publicize their own reading.
- While PCSF does some printed publicity for the staged
reading series and on our website and through our e-newsletter, it is
the playwright's responsibility to publicize their own staged reading.
- PCSF will be producing postcards for the staged reading series which you may also distribute.
- Tell your friends, coworkers, theatre professionals,
etc. Send out emails, evites, and make phone calls! The more people at
your reading, the higher the energy level and excitement, and the more
feedback you'll receive! Attendance is free for everyone.
- Refer to the PCSF Publicity Guidelines for further information on how to promote your reading.
- In order to help PCSF promote your reading to the PCSF membership and interested playgoers, send a 50-words-or-less blurb and a 50-words-or-less playwriting bio, along with your name and the title of your play to the PCSF Webmaster at WebLead@playwrightscentersf.org.
Playwrights must create and print the program for their staged reading.
- Download the PCSF
Developmental Reading Program Template, and fill in the appropriate information
for your staged reading (title, cast, producer, venue, dates, etc).
- There is a section for you to personally thank anyone who helped with your play and/or reading.
- You may also replace the questions that PCSF provides
for audience feedback with questions specific to your play. Make these
the same as the questions you give your feedback session facilitator
(see Feedback Session below).
- Add your email address for audience members to email further feedback to.
- In the interest of consistency, we ask that you not
deviate from the program template that PCSF provides. You may add
artwork to the program, but your producer must review and approve
before printing.
- Print double sided copies and fold enough programs to
give out at the reading. About fifty programs is usually plenty. Give
the programs to the producing director when you arrive on the night of
your reading as they will serve as both tickets and programs for the
event.
Playwrights are requested to bring refreshments to their reading.
- It is a good idea to provide some light refreshments for the developmental reading. It relaxes and welcomes your audience.
- Refreshments can be as simple as cheese and crackers
or a vegetable tray or cookies or samosas. Include some simple beverage
choices, wine and sparkling water for example. If you want to get
creative, you can tie the refreshments to a theme in your play.
- If you are unable to provide refreshments or need
help, please let your producer know early enough that other
arrangements can be made.
- This obviously only applies to in-person readings, not Zoom readings.
The Limits
- Playwrights are not allowed to direct their own work.
Developmental readings are self-directed by the individual actors. It's
important to let go and let your play take its first few tottering
steps on its own.
- Minor edits or rewrites are allowed leading up to the
week and a half prior to the reading, but playwrights are expected to
avoid major rewrites and must not add or remove characters after roles have been
cast. You are expected to communicate about and discuss any potential
rewrites with your producer.
The Feedback Session
- A PCSF board member or volunteer will introduce your
reading and lead an audience feedback session with your cast and
director immediately following the performance.
- A valuable part of the reading, the session allows
you to receive comments and insights from the audience and gives you a
chance to have some questions answered about your script.
- You will take the stage with your facilitator
following the curtain call, but we ask that during the feedback session
you remain a silent observer in order to fully digest all the comments
you will receive. We ask that you not explain or defend your play, but
listen to the responses and take notes. You would best view
questions asked as something to consider and address during your
rewrites.
- A facilitator will be assigned to your reading and
contact you a couple of weeks prior for your feedback questions that
are specific to your play.
- Remember to think about what you hope to learn about your play from the reading as you write your questions.
- Avoid questions that elicit a yes or no response, or
depend on people’s impressions or feelings. These will be limited
answers that add very little value. For example, this question
“Did you like the way the play ended?” would better be replaced with
something like “What did you take away from the ending of the play?”
or “What, if anything, was unresolved that you felt needed to be
resolved?”
- These questions or any additional ones may also be
added to your program template for audience consideration during the
reading.
- The facilitator will ask for your closing statement
at the end of the feedback session where you may thank your audience
for attending and briefly respond to anything that came up during the
session.
The Payoff Probably
the greatest gift a developmental reading offers a playwright is the
opportunity to discover what works and what doesn't. It can answer
questions you may have about your play and present new ones, as well.
It's a way to get a fresh perspective on your work and get creatively
re-energized. A developmental reading is intended to launch you into
your next re-write; it is not, therefore, for those who feel that the
play is already "done" or "perfect." PCSF hopes that this
developmental reading opportunity will help you take your play to the
next level.
Printable
version of Writer's Guidelines for Developmental Readings
Updated 10/21/2021
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