Working in the Theatre: Playwriting

This episode of Working in the Theatre was featured in our new book, "American Theatre Wing, an oral history: 100 Years, 100 Voices, 100 Million Miracles." Learn more about the book at a.co/d/9A5qc9a.
“There's no formula for how to write a good play. Nobody knows what's going to be successful, even if you define success commercially, artistically. So, you therefore have to fall back on writing what you're really interested in, what you really believe in, and that makes the plays unique and idiosyncratic. And paradoxically, if you don't think about trying to be successful, your play is more likely to be a success!"
As we follow Obie winner, Tony winner and American Theatre Wing Chair David Henry Hwang, we discover the importance of collaboration, playing with words and ideas, and assessing it’s impact on an audience. Through this process of discovery, the world of theatre is better off by receiving writing that reflects the world of possibility and brave new work.
Special thanks to Columbia University School of the Arts and the Boards and Advisory Committee of American Theatre Wing.
American Theatre Wing’s Working in the Theatre documentary series features the most fascinating people on the stage, behind the scenes, and in the audience. From Tony Awards® and Obie Awards® winning artists to the next generation of theatre makers, we capture theatre’s inner-workings, industry luminaries, and unique stories that surround important work.
American Theatre Wing, founder of the Tony Awards® and home of and the Obie Awards®: for more information visit americantheatrewing.org.
#WorkingInTheTheatre #Season39
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[@marcellomori3264]

Currently writing a 1000 word essay, an in depth presentation on writing and also a musical comedic song that's due in less than 3 hours. Wish me luck.

[@bolanlebamidele683]

Best of lucks

[@sambarefoot6563]

One year later and I'm doing that exact same horseshit, feel your pain.

[@atis9061]

1000 words is nothing wait until you have to write a grant

[@ausin4501]

just rewatched after a few years. this man is a genius!

[@butterflymoon6368]

I LOVE this teacher!

[@theonlykevon]

Beautiful, well spoken!

[@emiliabolsas]

Love the writing exercise at the end!

[@shannon15505]

I learned so much without paying over 20 thousand for a semester

[@findbridge1790]

more like 40

[@findbridge1790]

and then there's the false rape charge

[@findbridge1790]

and all your legal fees

[@findbridge1790]

and prison time

[@butterflymoon6368]

@@findbridge1790 oh god go back to jail

[@AdelWolf]

This was lovely to watch. Also, I had to rewind to make sure that Mssr. Hwang didn't say "dramaturds" in the beginning.

[@imwishingyougodspeedglory7438]

Progressive of you to make fun of his accent.

[@ebby900]

I'm currently writing my first play and I'm nearly in tears. the more I write the more unsure I am even though I know I can do this. What should I do?

[@fiveangelsmedia5991]

Keep writing to the end

[@isaiahbeckles1911]

When your done with the play and you need a 15 year old actor Im here

[@a.j.phillips282]

I want to study with him!

[@butterflymoon6368]

What I struggle with is how non linear plays are and how they can be anything. Blending several moments into one feels strange and impossible. I don't get a sense of what a play is. Yes, I am writing one despite that.

[@jaygee7508]

Love the teacher. Love the lesson. But...there's nothing like watching a bunch of cringey, young, theatre people take themselves waaaay too seriously. There's something inherently magical about it.

[@princessdiya145]

If i were to make a play based on Luca 2021 I’d choose an actor born in 2007 to play Luca an actor born in 2008 to play Guilia and an actor born in 1999 to play Alberto

[@local_disk]

Who else was forced to watch this by their theater teacher

[@caitlin8087]

me

[@sambarefoot6563]

me, and im not even a theatre major. it's just some filler class bullshit

[@raredivine]

@@sambarefoot6563 same it was either this or dance and i cant dance for the life of me 😒

[@stevenfilms57]

Anyone else notice William Ivey Long just casually sitting in the front row?????

[@elizabethfeuerbach5006]

I did a report on him in High School.

[@butterflymoon6368]

who are the people making comments in the audience? teachers?

[@TyroneQuingleberg]

Cool ;/

[@joshuarouisse2054]

This shit boring as hell.. Gotta love college.

[@frankishumate663]

gotta love highschool...

[@Lyle-Walters]

Beautiful, well spoken!