Recommended websites:
- SAT Playwrights - A group of local San Antonio based playwrights. They hold monthly salons featuring readings of new works by member playwrights.
- Austin Scriptworks - ASW is an organization that supports Central Texas playwrights by providing opportunities at all stages in the writing process, from inception through production with a variety of programming.
- The Dramatists Guild of America - DG is the only professional association which advances the interests of playwrights, composers and lyricists writing for the living stage. The Guild has over 6,000 members nationwide, from beginning writers to the most prominent authors represented on Broadway, Off-Broadway and in regional theaters.
Recommended Books:
| Shoes on the
Highway: Using Visual and Audio Cues to Inspire Student
Playwrights by Maureen Brady Johnson A great book by a great playwright. This is a fantastic primer for anyone who wants to inspire their students (or themselves) to write a play from the heart. |
| Solving Your Script
by Jeffrey Sweet This book is my personal favorite. This book incorporates several writing exercises, plus examples of those exercises by Mr. Sweet's students along with his critique. It's like having a grad-class in a paperback. |
| The Dramatist's
Toolkit by Jeffery Sweet This book is the prequel of sorts to "Solving Your Script" Unlike other books that talk in vague, general terms, this book gets its hands dirty with specific tips and tools for such things as exposition, structure and characterization. |
| The Playwright's
Survival Guide by Gary Garrison. I love this book because it speaks plainly and frankly about a wide range of topics from script structure to writing a good resume and cover letter. The sections on inspiration and self-doubt are helpful without talking down to you. This new edition has many new and updated features. Indispensible only begins to describe it! |
| A More Perfect
Ten by Gary Garrison. The only book I know of that is specifically about the ten minute play format. Mr. Garrison has unique perspective of both a playwright and a producer of several ten-minute play contests. This is an invaluable tool for anyone interested in the genre. |