Inspired by Actual Events: Master Class (Summer 2021) (Online)

Inspired by Actual Events: Master Class (Summer 2021) (Online)

July 12 - Aug. 23
6:00pm - 9:00pm Central Time

Instructor: Calamity West

Class by application only.  Applications due June 25 by 5pm CT. Selected applicants notified by July 6.

APPLY HERE

Everything is inspired by something. What inspires you?

In the master class, “Inspired by Actual Events…” award winning playwright Calamity West supports writers as they discover their own perspectives in actual, historical events in an attempt to dramatize them for the stage.  This course is designed specifically for advanced playwrights, interested in developing full-length plays through a robust and collaborative workshop process. Writers are expected to arrive to the first class with a brief dramaturgical presentation on the event they will be writing on, in addition to 5 pages of dialogue from their play. By the end of this course, each writer will leave with a complete, first draft of their new play.

Show us what inspires you.

Please Note:

1. Plays should be inspired by historical events and people.  Autobiographies and family biographies will not be accepted.
2. It is not expected that writers have more than five pages written of their text by the first day.  This course is designed to be a brave space for writers with varying experiences and perspectives.

Writers will be selected by application process; please click the link above to apply.  There is no cost to apply.

The Early Bird Registration Discount is not applicable for this course. Network Discounts still apply.

Calamity West is a Chicago-based, award-winning playwright. Her plays have appeared at Williamstown Theatre Festival, Roundabout, The Goodman, Jackalope Theatre, Sideshow Theatre, Steep Theatre, and TimeLine. In 2014 Calamity was recipient of the 3Arts Award. Calamity holds a BA in dramatic writing from Webster University and an MFA in creative writing from California College of the Arts. She currently teaches playwriting and literature at Webster University, playwriting at the University of Chicago, and dramatic writing at the Chicago Dramatists. In 2018 Calamity founded the Playwrights Lab at Jackalope Theatre Company. West has moderated writers rooms at Victory Gardens, The New Colony, and through the Artist Development Workshop. She is a proud company member of Jackalope Theatre Company. West is represented by ICM Partners and managed by Industry Entertainment. You can learn more about Calamity and her work by going to calamitywest.com.

Classes will be held via Zoom. Instructors will send out Zoom invites one day before class begins. We encourage students to set up a Zoom account for themselves before class if they have not already to ensure when class begins you are able to jump straight into the art!