Playwrights: Taking Control of Our Own Fates

On Sunday, May 4, 2014, the D.C. Regional Chapter of The Dramatists Guild of America will host the Playwrights: Taking Control of Our Own Fates workshop at the Kennedy Center. This day-long workshop for playwrights, which is now at capacity with 100 participants, will cover a wide variety of subjects of critical importance to dramatists in the 21st century. This event was organized by Brent Englar, Gwydion Suilebhan, and Noelle Viñas. While it won't be livestreamed, there are several bloggers and tweeters in this group. To follow the conversation, use #PwFate #newplay.

After a brief welcome address, the day will include:

Brief Welcome (11:00 am) 
Dramatists Guild's DC representative Gwydion Suilebhan

Ask the Expert: How to Fringe (11:10 am-12:00 pm) 
A panel discussion, moderated by playwright Brett Abelman, on the secrets to success in Fringe festivals far and wide. Panelists will include playwrights Stephen Spotswood, Ann Fraistat, Regie Cabico, Bob Bartlett, and Laura Zam.

Lunch/Mix-and-Mingle (12:00-1:00 pm) 

Social Media for Playwrights (1:00-2:00 pm) 
A presentation on the essentials of social media by dramatist and leading social media expert Devon Smith.

Playwrights Raising Money (2:00-3:00 pm) 
A panel discussion designed to help playwrights understand the secrets of raising money in support of their work.  Moderated by Jojo Ruf panelists include playwrights Kathleen Akerley, Jacqueline E. Lawton, Ari Roth, and Anu Yadav.

Break (3:00-3:30 pm) 

Roundtable: Local Playwright Initiatives (3:30-4:30 pm) 
A round-table discussion of local playwright initiatives: their models, missions, challenges, and opportunities. Moderated by Renee Calarco, participants include Caleen Sinnette Jennings, Allyson Currin, Danielle Mohlman, and Joanna Castle Miller.

Town Hall Brainstorming (4:30-6:00 pm)
Discuss the fate of the DC and Baltimore playwriting community: the issues we're facing and how we'd like to address them. This should be a vital opportunity for connection, empowerment, and direction for all of us.

Brett Ableman

Kathleen Akerley

Bob Bartlett

Regie Cabico

Renee Calarco

Allyson Currin

Ann Fraistat

Caleen Sinnette Jennings

Jacqueline E. Lawton

Joanna Castle Miller

Danielle Mohlman

Ari Roth

Jojo Ruf

Devon Smith

Stephen Spotswood

Gwydion Suilebhan

Anu Yadav

Laura Zam

The Dramatists Guild of America was established over eighty years ago, and is the only professional association which advances the interests of playwrights, composers, lyricists and librettists writing for the living stage. The Guild has over 6,000 members nationwide, from beginning writers to the most prominent authors represented on Broadway, Off-Broadway and in regional theaters.

---