Dramaturgy Masterclass

Class Overview

A holistic approach to dramaturgy, this 7 week Dramaturgy Masterclass focuses on a writer's play as a whole, allowing students to examine both the micro and macro within their work.  Writers will submit one complete, full-length play to be workshopped/developed over the course of the class.  Each play will be read/workshopped by the cohort as a whole, and writers will receive notes and feedback from their fellow students.  Students will be asked to read the work of their fellow writers each week, in order to facilitate in-depth critique.

Additionally, playwrights will receive a comprehensive, in-depth evaluation of their play from the instructor.  All dramatic elements will be covered, including:  plot, theme, structure, use of theatricality, character development, dialogue, use of action, etc. The instructor will provide writers with specific, actionable notes on their script, including page-by-page specifics.  Every session will focus on the work of 2-3 writers, ensuring that each play and writer receive the full attention they deserve.

This class is limited to 6 participants; writers accepted by submission only.  All levels welcome.

Structure of the Class

Each playwright will have their script reviewed in class a minimum of 2 times:

  1. In the 1st session, the play as a whole will be discussed as a class.  Playwrights will receive feedback from the cohort, as directed by the instructor.  In this first session, playwrights will also receive an in-depth evaluation of their play from the instructor.  The instructor will provide specific, actionable notes to the playwright, with the focus of helping the writer find/hone the heart of their story.

  2. In the 2nd session, the focus will be on the specific scene the playwright has selected for their final presentation.  In the writers' second session, those select scenes will be read aloud and discussed by the members of the class.  These scenes will then be performed by professional actors via Zoom for the final session; this final presentation will be open to an invited audience.

Dates, Time, Locations: Spring Session 2026

Words & Silence: Playwriting Workshop will run on Sunday mornings from April 19th - June 14th, 2026.  All sessions will be held from 9am-12pm, MST.  All sessions will be held virtually on Zoom. The 7th and final session, held on June 14th, will be a Zoom reading of writer's work-in-progress, featuring professional actors. This final reading will be open to an invited audience.

DATES:  7 Sundays, April 19th - June 14th, 2026

  • Class 1:  Sunday, April 19th, 2026 (9am-12pm, MST)

  • Class 2:  Sunday, April 26th, 2026 (9am-12pm, MST)

  • Class 3:  Sunday, May 3rd, 2026 (9am-12pm, MST)

    • No class: Sunday, May 10th (Mother’s Day weekend)

  • Class 4:  Sunday, May 17th, 2026 (9am-12pm, MST)

    • No class: Sunday, May 24th (Memorial Day Weekend)

  • Class 5:  Sunday, May 31st, 2026 (9am-12pm, MST)

  • Class 6:  Sunday, June 7th, 2026 (9am-12pm, MST)

  • Class 7:  Sunday, June 14th, 2026 (9am-12pm, MST) **Online reading of select scenes from student plays in progress.

TIME:  9am-12pm MST

LOCATION:  Virtually (Zoom)

Submission Deadline:

Full scripts should be submitted by 9pm CST Thursday, April 16th.  Again: scripts do not need to be perfect or polished!  The only requirement is that it is a complete draft so that we can discuss/work on the play holistically.  The entire point of the class is to help writers develop a current play in progress!  See the link at the bottom of the page (under How to Register) to submit your work.

Cost

The class fee is $375, with a set amount of sliding-scale slots available for those who qualify. Payment is due at the time of registration.

Final Presentation of Student Works-In-Progress

The final class will be a Zoom reading of student work featuring professional actors, for an invited audience.

How to Register

To register for this class, submit 1 full-length play at the button below.  Once your script is received, I will reach out to you with payment details.  Your seat in the class is only confirmed once payment is made.

Register - Words & Silence: Dramaturgy Masterclass
View Upcoming Playwriting Classes

Cancellation Policy

  • Cancellations made 10 calendar days before the start date of the first class receive a 100% refund.

  • Cancellations made 7 calendar days before the start date of the first class receive a %75 refund.

  • Cancellations made 5 calendar days before the start date of the first class receive a %50 refund.

  • Cancellations made within 48 hours of the start date of the first class receive no refund.

  • No refunds are offered to writers who withdraw from a class after the class has started.