What's all this about producing? Say you're a playwright looking for as many mail slots as possible in which to deposit your polished gem of a script, and/or as many groups of like-minded scribes with which to gather and complain-- er, share information about your craft-- as well as find out about lucrative opportunities to practice that craft. Go ahead, say it: "I'm a playwright...."
In short, this list is for you.
SCRIPT/PLAYWRIGHT RESOURCES
Alliance of Los Angeles Playwrights
(323) 957-4752
E-mail: alapnews@aol.com
ALAP is a support and service organization for Southern California playwrights. Events include an Annual Playreading Festival, symposiums, and social gatherings. Publications include a bimonthly newsletter and an annual membership directory. ALAP is all-volunteer. Dues are $35 and tax-deductible.
A.S.K. Theater Projects
11845 W. Olympic Blvd., Suite 1250 West
Los Angeles, CA 90064
(310) 478-3200
www.askplay.org
E-mail: info@askplay.org
A.S.K. is a resource organization for the theatre and its artists. With more than 25 programs, publications, and funding partnerships, it nurtures new work but does not produce. Some of its programs include: New Play Weekend, Writers Retreat, Playwrights in the Schools, Playwright-Composer Studio, Stage One readings, as well as professional labs offered throughout the year. It also holds the Common Ground Festival, a festival of ensemble-generated works in progress, each June. All of A.S.K.'s programs, services, and publications are offered free of charge. Participation in most programs is available to theatre professionals by application.
Beyond Baroque Literary/Arts Center
681 Venice Blvd.
Venice, CA 90291
(310) 822-3006
Beyond Baroque promotes reading, writing, and publication of contemporary literature through regular readings, free and tuition-based workshops in literature and performance, a magazine, and an archive of small press publications. Contact: Fred Dewey.
Broadway on Sunset
10800 Hesby St., #9
North Hollywood, CA 91601
(818) 508-9270
www.broadwayonsunset.org
E-mail: broadwayonsunset@cs.com
Broadway of Sunset is a non-profit musical theatre organization that develops new musicals by encouraging collaborations among Broadway professionals and film, TV and music professionals on the West Coast, and produces the West Coast Musical Theatre Conference.
Coronet Theatre Writers Lab
368 N. La Cienega Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(310) 652-9602
The Coronet Theatre Writers Lab works with playwrights and screenwriters to improve their scripts by hearing their work read by professional actors during staged readings. Participating writers benefit from receiving relevant, objective impressions and constructive criticism about their works-in-progress. Contact: T. Jay O'Brien.
Dramatists Guild of America, Inc.
323-960-5115
www.dramaguild.com
The Dramatists Guild is the professional association of playwrights, composers, and lyricists. The guild is national, with its main office in New York; West Coast membership liaison is Dan Berkowitz (ICIMEDIA@aol.com).
First Stage
6817 Franklin Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 850-6271
www.firststagela.org
E-mail: safstar@aol.com
First Stage works for the development of new work for the screen and stage. It offers staged readings, workshops, and general support for the playwright. Contact: Dennis Safren.
Samuel French Theatre & Film Bookshops
7623 Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90046
(323) 876-0570
Open Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., closed Sun.
11963 Ventura Blvd.
Studio City, CA 91604
(818) 762-0535
Open Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun. 12 noon-5 p.m.
www.samuelfrench.com
Samuel French has the largest collection of theatrical books and publications this side of the Chattahoochee.
Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop
335 N. Brand Blvd.
Glendale, CA 91203
(818) 502-3309
The venerable workshop, based on the teaching of the late Engel, a seasoned Broadway conductor, consists of 30 beginners and 90 continuing members, including choreographers, performers, directors, writers, and musicians. The workshop offers a forum for writers to study the specific crafts of music theatre, bookwriting, composing, and lyric writing, culminating in staged readings and showcases. The application deadline for the workshop, which meets monthly Sept.-June, is in late summer; placement is by interview. Contact: John Sparks, artistic director.
New Playwrights Foundation
608 San Vicente Blvd., #18
Santa Monica, CA 90402
(310) 393-3682
www.newplaywrights.org
E-mail: dialogue@newplaywrights.org
Since 1969 the New Playwrights Foundation has worked to develop and disseminate new works for theatre and other media written by local nascent and lesser-known writers. Writers workshops meet twice a month in the Santa Monica area for readings, critiques, and exchange of information. Contact: Jeff Berquist.
Playwrights Ink
6230 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1776
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(213) 385-4562
http://hometown.aol.com/playinkla/index.html.
E-mail: tjacobson@lacma.org
Playwrights Ink works to develop stage-worthy plays with individual and culturally diverse viewpoints. It fosters relationships with acting ensembles, individual artists, and theatres. Contact: Tom Jacobson.
Writers at Work
4022 Fountain Ave., Suite 202
Los Angeles, CA 90029-2220
(323) 661-5954
www.writersatwork.com
Writers at Work offers workshops and other services emphasizing freedom of the imagination, rigorous standards of craft, commitment to one's work, and a supportive environment honoring diversity of voices, styles, and concerns. While committed to serving all writers, it has a particular interest in those whose stories have not been widely recorded: women, lesbians, gay men, and people of color. Contact: Gwin Wheatley.
Writer's Guild of America, West
7000 West 3rd St.
West Hollywood, CA 90048
(323) 951-4000
www.wga.org
The Writers Guild was established in 1933 and is the union for writers in the fields of motion pictures, broadcast, cable, and new technology industries. It represents members in collective bargaining and other labor matters.
The Writer's Store
2040 Westwood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90025
(310) 441-5151 or (800) 272-8927
http://writersstore.com
This store sells script-formatting software, supplies, and books related to screenwriting, novel and fiction writing, and film/TV/video production. The store also offers writing classes and seminars. Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.