Directing: Developing a new script

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Developing a new script

Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Directing
Forum Discription: For questions about handling shows, actors, crew, board members, children ...or do we repeat ourselves?
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4004
Printed Date: 10/30/25 at 9:39pm
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Topic: Developing a new script

Posted By: greenphoenix
Subject: Developing a new script
Date Posted: 5/05/09 at 3:13am

Our theatre is mounting a play by a local playwright later in the year. The script is good, but needs some work. It has some problems not uncommon with a work-in-progress: too many characters (in my opinion), and themes that need to be strengthened and clarified.

What is an appropriate process for us to revise the script, or to work with the playwright on making some changes?

Replies:

Posted By: pdavis69
Date Posted: 5/05/09 at 12:44pm

As the playwrite is local you should work through him/her. You should always work through the playwrite or whoever holds the rights, but as he is local there would be a better chance of being caught if you left him in the dark.

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Patrick L. Davis
Fort Findlay Playhouse

Posted By: greenphoenix
Date Posted: 5/05/09 at 1:41pm

Yes, we would not attempt to be subversive with any changes. The playwright is very likely to be involved in the rehearsal period. The script does need work, though.

It's new territory in a way. Has any theatre group here appointed someone as a "dramaturg" (or whatever you wish to call it) to help shape an experimental work?

Posted By: jaytee060
Date Posted: 5/05/09 at 2:41pm

This is a pretty big issue and you really don't say to what extent you want to change the script. As a playwright myself, I would certainly have no problem sitting down and listening to suggestions on how to make the script better or more playable.....However, you must remember that a play script is much like a child. Parents really don't care to hear that while their child is not bad looking, it does have certain flaws.

With this in consideration, ask the playwright if they are willing to discuss changes. Then, before that meeting, you should have a specific list of changes that you would like to make. And it's best to have reasons

that you can give the author for the changes.

Also, if the changes are agreeable, the playwright would be the one to do the required rewrites.

In the long run, this has the potential to make a good script better....BUT....no matter how friendly you are with the playwright, this also has the potential to be a very unpleasant expierence. Go carefully into the breach

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"REMEMBER ME IN LIGHT"

Posted By: KEB54
Date Posted: 5/06/09 at 5:37pm

I have been involved with the process. This is how it worked with the one I was involved in.

The playwright & director hand picked the cast with the cast knowing the commitment. First several read throughs and discussions always in a very relaxed social setting -- someone's living room with cocktails and snacks. After each read through the playwright would make changes. This was once a week over the course of a month or so.

Then we moved to an open space to get a feel for blocking, but always with script in hand. Then a few set pieces were added like a table and chairs. Maybe a couple times a week.

Once the playwright and director were satisfied, about six weeks, a hand-picked audience of about 20 was invited to our open space. Still with scripts in hand, minimal staging, and some staging being read by the SM (he's going up the stairs, she is at the top of the stairs, etc). Notes were taken of the audience's reactions and then a discussion with the audience afterwards.

More re-writes.

Then a regular rehearsal period (5 weeks), with all the trimmings (full set, costumes, props, etc.) and did the show for one weekend (4 performances).

About a 5-month commitment, though most of it was once a week or so. Nice experience for me. A lot of work for the playwright. Not a big draw. People don't come out for locally written stuff.

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KEB