“They are called ‘plays’ so writing them should be kind of fun. Plus, every single writing job I have landed: film, television no matter what, came out of writing for the theater,” says instructor Patricia Cotter. “It’s one of the few mediums where the writer is in charge of the story; it’s your vision and your voice. Okay, true story: A couple of years ago I wrote a one-act play which was produced in a tiny 77-seat black box theater. One night Dustin Hoffman happened to come to the show. He saw it, responded to the writing and hired me to write a film with him. That experience reinforced the belief that theater is the best showcase for a new voice. Getting your play in front of an audience is completely attainable – write a play, rent a room and invite people. It really is that easy. Okay, well you do actually have to write your play…but I can help with that.”
This workshop is designed to give writers an introduction to the tools and the support they need to begin writing a new play, or dust off an old one and give it new life. ”I’ll help you figure out what your play is really about, who the characters are and why you (and your audience) should be spending time with them,” says Patricia. Through a combination of lecture and writing exercises, you’ll be reminded of how good it feels to write. “My own writing,” says Patricia, “came out of my days of doing improv at the Groundlings and The Second City – “Yes, and…” became my mantra and remains how I approach the process of sitting down to write. It’s an amazingly effective tool to help you get out of your head and get the words onto the page.
“We’ll look at the nuts and bolts: how to adapt your play for film or television, how to submit, how to find a literary agent, formatting, as well as the larger questions regarding form, themes and dialogue. Each class will end in a goal for the next week’s writing. Each student’s goals will be different: Some might be finishing an outline while others are finishing a scene. My hope is to guide each person to work toward their own individual goals.”
Whether it’s a one-act, a full-length, a one-person show, or a musical, this workshop will kindle or rekindle your passion for storytelling and live theater—and will help you set a time line for finishing your play and then finding a place for it in the world.
Patricia Cotter is a working, Emmy Award winning, Groundling Theater (where she taught improv) and Second City alum. Her produced plays include The Break Up Notebook (A GLAAD Award nominee, starring actress Jane Lynch); Three; Best/Worst; Flawed; and The Girls. Her musicals (librettist/adaptations) include: The Break Up Notebook a Lesbian Musical (based on her play) and Rocket Science: A Musical. Screenplays include Personal Injuries co-written with Dustin Hoffman for his company Punch Productions; Krazy Girls winner Best Short in Los Angeles Outfest Film Festival; and Vows developed for Valhalla Motion Pictures. She has also written for Twentieth Century Fox Television, Disney Theatrical and Comedy Central.
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This workshop is designed to give writers an introduction to the tools and the support they need to begin writing a new play, or dust off an old one and give it new life. ”I’ll help you figure out what your play is really about, who the characters are and why you (and your audience) should be spending time with them,” says Patricia. Through a combination of lecture and writing exercises, you’ll be reminded of how good it feels to write. “My own writing,” says Patricia, “came out of my days of doing improv at the Groundlings and The Second City – “Yes, and…” became my mantra and remains how I approach the process of sitting down to write. It’s an amazingly effective tool to help you get out of your head and get the words onto the page.
“We’ll look at the nuts and bolts: how to adapt your play for film or television, how to submit, how to find a literary agent, formatting, as well as the larger questions regarding form, themes and dialogue. Each class will end in a goal for the next week’s writing. Each student’s goals will be different: Some might be finishing an outline while others are finishing a scene. My hope is to guide each person to work toward their own individual goals.”
Whether it’s a one-act, a full-length, a one-person show, or a musical, this workshop will kindle or rekindle your passion for storytelling and live theater—and will help you set a time line for finishing your play and then finding a place for it in the world.
Patricia Cotter is a working, Emmy Award winning, Groundling Theater (where she taught improv) and Second City alum. Her produced plays include The Break Up Notebook (A GLAAD Award nominee, starring actress Jane Lynch); Three; Best/Worst; Flawed; and The Girls. Her musicals (librettist/adaptations) include: The Break Up Notebook a Lesbian Musical (based on her play) and Rocket Science: A Musical. Screenplays include Personal Injuries co-written with Dustin Hoffman for his company Punch Productions; Krazy Girls winner Best Short in Los Angeles Outfest Film Festival; and Vows developed for Valhalla Motion Pictures. She has also written for Twentieth Century Fox Television, Disney Theatrical and Comedy Central.
“They are called ‘plays’ so writing them should be kind of fun. Plus, every single writing job I have landed: film, television no matter what, came out of writing for the theater,” says instructor Patricia Cotter. “It’s one of the few mediums where the writer is in charge of the story; it’s your vision and your voice. Okay, true story: A couple of years ago I wrote a one-act play which was produced in a tiny 77-seat black box theater. One night Dustin Hoffman happened to come to the show. He saw it, responded to the writing and hired me to write a film with him. That experience reinforced the belief that theater is the best showcase for a new voice. Getting your play in front of an audience is completely attainable – write a play, rent a room and invite people. It really is that easy. Okay, well you do actually have to write your play…but I can help with that.”
This workshop is designed to give writers an introduction to the tools and the support they need to begin writing a new play, or dust off an old one and give it new life. ”I’ll help you figure out what your play is really about, who the characters are and why you (and your audience) should be spending time with them,” says Patricia. Through a combination of lecture and writing exercises, you’ll be reminded of how good it feels to write. “My own writing,” says Patricia, “came out of my days of doing improv at the Groundlings and The Second City – “Yes, and…” became my mantra and remains how I approach the process of sitting down to write. It’s an amazingly effective tool to help you get out of your head and get the words onto the page.
“We’ll look at the nuts and bolts: how to adapt your play for film or television, how to submit, how to find a literary agent, formatting, as well as the larger questions regarding form, themes and dialogue. Each class will end in a goal for the next week’s writing. Each student’s goals will be different: Some might be finishing an outline while others are finishing a scene. My hope is to guide each person to work toward their own individual goals.”
Whether it’s a one-act, a full-length, a one-person show, or a musical, this workshop will kindle or rekindle your passion for storytelling and live theater—and will help you set a time line for finishing your play and then finding a place for it in the world.
Patricia Cotter is a working, Emmy Award winning, Groundling Theater (where she taught improv) and Second City alum. Her produced plays include The Break Up Notebook (A GLAAD Award nominee, starring actress Jane Lynch); Three; Best/Worst; Flawed; and The Girls. Her musicals (librettist/adaptations) include: The Break Up Notebook a Lesbian Musical (based on her play) and Rocket Science: A Musical. Screenplays include Personal Injuries co-written with Dustin Hoffman for his company Punch Productions; Krazy Girls winner Best Short in Los Angeles Outfest Film Festival; and Vows developed for Valhalla Motion Pictures. She has also written for Twentieth Century Fox Television, Disney Theatrical and Comedy Central.
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This workshop is designed to give writers an introduction to the tools and the support they need to begin writing a new play, or dust off an old one and give it new life. ”I’ll help you figure out what your play is really about, who the characters are and why you (and your audience) should be spending time with them,” says Patricia. Through a combination of lecture and writing exercises, you’ll be reminded of how good it feels to write. “My own writing,” says Patricia, “came out of my days of doing improv at the Groundlings and The Second City – “Yes, and…” became my mantra and remains how I approach the process of sitting down to write. It’s an amazingly effective tool to help you get out of your head and get the words onto the page.
“We’ll look at the nuts and bolts: how to adapt your play for film or television, how to submit, how to find a literary agent, formatting, as well as the larger questions regarding form, themes and dialogue. Each class will end in a goal for the next week’s writing. Each student’s goals will be different: Some might be finishing an outline while others are finishing a scene. My hope is to guide each person to work toward their own individual goals.”
Whether it’s a one-act, a full-length, a one-person show, or a musical, this workshop will kindle or rekindle your passion for storytelling and live theater—and will help you set a time line for finishing your play and then finding a place for it in the world.
Patricia Cotter is a working, Emmy Award winning, Groundling Theater (where she taught improv) and Second City alum. Her produced plays include The Break Up Notebook (A GLAAD Award nominee, starring actress Jane Lynch); Three; Best/Worst; Flawed; and The Girls. Her musicals (librettist/adaptations) include: The Break Up Notebook a Lesbian Musical (based on her play) and Rocket Science: A Musical. Screenplays include Personal Injuries co-written with Dustin Hoffman for his company Punch Productions; Krazy Girls winner Best Short in Los Angeles Outfest Film Festival; and Vows developed for Valhalla Motion Pictures. She has also written for Twentieth Century Fox Television, Disney Theatrical and Comedy Central.
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Date/Times:
The Writing Salon
2121 Bonar Street, Berkeley, CA 94702
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