Iowa Playwrights Workshop

Congratulations to Our 2012-2013 Winning Script: Open House by Craig N. Owens!

It’s Our MissionIowa Playwrights Workshop

One element of Tallgrass Theatre’s mission is to provide an outlet for local talent to explore and develop. We believe that we achieve this in part by fostering the development of new plays by writers from Iowa. We do this by providing a forum in which the playwright can receive feedback on their work, revise their work, and eventually see their work performed.

How It Works

altb2 001Tallgrass Theatre Company’s Iowa Playwrights Workshop (IPW) was created in 2006 for the purpose of developing and showcasing fresh new works by Iowa writers. Playwrights are encouraged to submit a single piece of their work at any time to Tallgrass Theatre via email, whether it be a one-act or full-length play. Scripts for the Workshop are read and evaluated by Tallgrass’ artistic staff, and in October, one script will be selected for the workshop. Upon the writer’s acceptance of the IPW conditions and process (below), the Workshop process begins.

Previous Workshop Productions

Workshop Conditions

Playwrights should be advised that they will not receive royalties for the use of their script; in the event that Tallgrass Theatre Company receives grant money which can be used for artist stipend, the playwright will be paid an appropriate sum.

A Director will be assigned to the production; the Writer will work closely with them in communicating their vision for the play and will retain all rights to make script changes; once the play is in the rehearsal process, the Director has the right to make changes regarding the play’s production (e.g. blocking and design choices) but can NOT make changes to the script itself without the consent of the Writer.

The Process

  1. Submissions are evaluated by Tallgrass Theatre Company staff (submission deadline is September 1 annually)
  2. Finalists are selected; interviews are held with Iowa Playwrights Workshop (IPW) Director
  3. Winning playwright is contacted; meeting with IPW Director to discuss expectations and processes; Playwright Agreement is signed
  4. Winning playwright/script is announced October 1 (on tallgrasstheatre.org, in press releases and in e-mail to all who submitted)
  5. IPW Director to recruit “cast” for staged reading(s) and workshop process
  6. IPW Director leads rehearsals prior to staged reading(s)
    1. 2-3 rehearsals/table reads
    2. Playwright in attendance if possible
  7. Staged Reading(s) held at Rex Mathes Auditorium
    1. Free, invite-only event; Playwright may notify IPW Director of anyone he/she wishes to have included on the invite list
    2. Script (including stage directions) read aloud on stage, no blocking or
      costumes/props are used
    3. After the reading, a moderated discussion with audience members is held,
      facilitated by IPW Director—handouts are given to audience members to take notes and submit written feedback
  8. IPW Director to compile written feedback received and provide to Playwright
  9. Writer makes script revisions based on feedback from Staged Reading
  10. IPW Director to lead series of workshop sessions over a 6-week period
    1. Playwright to be present whenever possible
    2. Continual rewrites and updates throughout workshop process are expected
    3. Sessions to include character, storyline, and plot development
    4. Specifics to be determined with IPW Director and Playwright
  11. Final script due at end of workshop process (deadline to be determined by IPW Director and Playwright)
  12. Auditions held at Rex Mathes Auditorium
    1. Production Director to lead auditions, assisted by IPW Director
    2. Playwright present or not present per original agreement
  13. Rehearsals begin
    1. Playwright to attend rehearsals as per original agreement
    2. No further script changes to be made unless absolutely necessary – changes only to be made by Playwright
    3. Director may modify blocking or design aspects but may not make changes to script
    4. Playwright to provide all notes/critiques to Director outside of rehearsal
  14. Show is publicized through normal media avenues
    1. Writer may be asked to participate in radio, newspaper or TV interviews
  15. Show is performed at Rex Mathes Auditorium
  16. Playwright and IPW Director have post-production feedback meeting

How To Apply

Click here for application and submission guidelines

Contact us at ipw@tallgrasstheatre.org for more information.