Work with new play specialists Amy Clare Tasker (London) and Laura Lundy (New York) in an exclusive 4-part playwriting and professional development workshop, culminating in a live stage performance at The Cockpit. You'll start with an idea on day one, and finish with a 10-minute performance at our scratch night, Theatre in the Pound. Places are limited to only 6 writers.
Who could benefit from this course?
Playwrights and screenwriters, solo performers, actors wanting to write their own work, emerging writers, artists of other disciplines wanting to branch out.
How does it work?
This course includes:
- A 3-hour in-person workshop "Don't Go It Alone: Build Creative Partnerships."
- A road map for developing an idea into a 10-minute play, establishing goals as an artist, and guidance on overcoming obstacles to success.
- A private Deep Dive call with facilitators Amy and Laura to talk in more depth about your goals and how to best support you through the process of moving forward with confidence.
- Two group script development calls with facilitators to receive individual notes on your draft, and to learn from observing the process of fellow writers.
- A group coaching session focused on how to produce your script for the scratch night, finding collaborators, and making the most of audience feedback.
- A performance of your 10-minute play onstage at The Cockpit's scratch night Theatre in the Pound.
Please note, writers will be expected to recruit actors and rehearse their short play, as well as liaise with the tech team at Theatre in the Pound. Don't worry, we'll guide you through these steps and be there at the scratch night to cheer you on.
What do you gain?
- A finished 10-minute play.
- Practical experience of casting and producing a short piece for a scratch night.
- The ability to anticipate potential obstacles to production, as you move forward as a playwright.
- An understanding of the importance of visibility and creative partnerships, and how to build both.
- An effective model for giving and receiving feedback within a group.
- Confidence and momentum to keep writing and developing your work.
Dates & Times:
This course takes place over 7 weeks with the following key dates. The first session and the scratch night take place at The Cockpit; all other sessions will be online.
- Saturday, 29 October at 11:00am - 2:00pm. In-person workshop "Don't Go It Alone" with Laura & Amy at The Cockpit
- 30 October or 1 November, by appointment. Deep Dive individual calls with Laura and Amy, via Zoom.
- 10 November at 12:00pm. Deadline to submit first draft
- 22 November at 6:00pm - 7:30pm. Group feedback session
- 1 December at 12:00pm. Deadline to submit second draft
- 6 December at 6:00 - 7:30pm. Group feedback session
- 7 December at 6:00 - 7:00pm. Group coaching session on producing your script for the scratch night.
- Early December, in your own time. Independent rehearsals and preparation for the scratch night
- 19 December at 7:00pm. Theatre in the Pound performance. (Tech rehearsals to be scheduled in the afternoon from 2:00pm.)
Cost:
£195 early bird (book by midday on 17 October)
£215 regular price
LAURA LUNDY (NEW YORK)
Laura is a Theatre Producer and Creative Consultant. She is the Founder of Blue Panther Productions, guiding artists internationally to a sustainable career. Laura develops and produces new work in New York and London. Broadway: Children of a Lesser God, 2018 revival (Associate Producer), Off Broadway: The Brothers Khan, An American Story (Creative Producer). Lead Producer credits include: London, Off West End: Love Goddess, The Rita Hayworth Musical (Nov/Dec 2022). London Independent: Love Goddess, the Cabaret (Sept/Oct 2021), What They Said About Love, Colette Uncensored, and Me, Myself and Rita (2017-2019). New York independent: AROUSAL by George Pfirrmann and The Singularity by Crystal Jackson (New York premieres, The Flea Theater/Virago Theatre), The Oy of Sex with Alicia Dattner. Chicago/Barcelona/London/New York tour, Dylan Brody’s Driving Hollywood. San Francisco/Los Angeles: Ransom, Texas by William Bivins. San Francisco Bay Area: Zombie Vixens from Hell-The Musical. Other directing credits include the critically acclaimed 20th anniversary San Francisco production of Angels in America: Millennium Approaches. Laura trained at Pomona College and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (12-Month Intensive, London).
@lauralundycoaching - Blue Panther Productions
AMY CLARE TASKER (LONDON)
Alongside running Theatre Maker at The Cockpit, Amy is codirector of Pinecone Performance Lab and Voila! Europe Theatre Festival. With Pinecone, she writes, performs, directs, and facilitates the London Devised Theatre Intensive. Amy's latest show HOT (Helen of Troy) premiered at The Cockpit in February 2020. With Voila! Europe, she programmes and produces an annual festival of European Theatre. In London since 2013, her work has been seen at Rich Mix, Camden People’s Theatre, Theatre Delicatessen, LOST Theatre, Cockpit Theatre, Canal Cafe Theatre, Theatre Utopia, Upstart Theatre's DARE Festival at Shoreditch Town Hall, and the Southbank Centre’s Women of the World Festival. Amy began her career in San Francisco, where she was artistic director of Inkblot Ensemble, and an associate artist with Cutting Ball Theater and EXIT Theatre. She graduated from the University of California, Irvine with a degree in Drama, after a year at the University of Manchester as an international exchange student.
@AmyClareTasker - www.amyclaretasker.com
Testimonials
"It was all a bit mind-blowing. The discussion feedback was beyond what I hoped for." - Tae Catford on the Write & Stage Your Original Play course (March 2022)
"An inspirational and engaging introduction into the art of allowing our paths to cross." - Participant on the Don't Go It Alone course (March 2022)
"Working with Laura has been life-changing. My show sold out at Joe’s Pub at The Public Theater, I’ve received four play commissions, and a screenwriting fellowship. Laura lifts me up, helps me see the bigger picture, and how to attain it."
- Anya Pearson, Writer/Producer/Activist, Made to Dance in Burning Buildings, Joe’s Pub, New York City
"Laura's approach to story, seeing characters from different perspectives, understanding the different dimensions of the work -- adds a tremendous amount of insight to the whole process of playwriting and production. I look forward to working with her again!"
- Scott Charles, playwright, Dinners With Augie, The Call-Girl's Dilemma
"Laura’s expert consultation on my play elevated it to a level I had envisioned but couldn’t quite reach on my own. With her extensive experience in all aspects of theater--the artistic as well as the nitty-gritty facets of production--she is able to discern what works and what doesn’t. Her input was invaluable and the process enlivening."
- Nina Solomita, Playwright, After the Sermon, Production Ready Script, 2015
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