Iowa Playwrights Workshop

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 or mailed hard copy (see address below), 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. An initial meeting between Tallgrass’ Artistic Director and the selected writer will be held, and 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.

How the Process Works

1. Play/Writer selected
2. Initial meeting between Artistic and Technical Directors and Writer about expectations and processes
3. Meeting between TTC Directors, Writer and production Director to discuss initial ideas and concepts
a. Writer and Director to determine Writer’s involvement in the rehearsal process and how often meetings should be held
4. Table reads of script (can include AD, TD, Writer, Director and others as needed) to encourage further development of script
5. Writer provides updated script copies to AD, TD and Director as needed
6. TD begins holding weekly Production Meetings with Director and design team
a. Writer is encouraged to attend initial Production Meeting (and add’l meetings at discretion of Director) to meet design staff and share vision and ideas with team
7. Writer and Director prepare for Staged Reading
a. (Dates) at Rex Mathes Auditorium
b. free, invite-only event; Writer may notify AD of anyone he/she wishes to
have included on the invite list
c. actual cast is not in place before reading; volunteers will perform the
reading with a minimum of rehearsal time prior (maybe one read-through
rehearsal)
d. script (including stage directions) read aloud on stage, no blocking or
costumes/props are used
e. after the reading, a moderated discussion with audience members is held,
facilitated by AD, TD or Director—handouts are given to audience
members to take notes and submit written feedback
8. Writer makes further script revisions based on feedback from Staged Reading
9. Auditions held at Rex Mathes Auditorium
10. Rehearsals begin; Writer to attend rehearsals as previously determined in meetings; Writer will provide all notes/critiques to Director outside of rehearsal
11. Press releases sent out; Writer may be asked to participate in newspaper or TV interviews
12. Show is performed at Rex Mathes Auditorium

Contact us at info@tallgrasstheatre.org for more information

 
 
 
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