Winter 2006 Workshops at Writers & Books

Stage & Screen

Scripting the Short Film

• WA6-D19
• 8 Alternating Mondays, 6 - 9 p.m.
• Beginning January 16 and Ending April 24
• $189 W&B members / $199 general public
• Instructor: Peter McArdle

The instructor will take this class from the discussion of basic screenwriting rules: formatting, screenwriting conventions, narrative structure, etc., through the writing of a draft for a short film no longer than thirty minutes in duration. Short films, parts of features, and screenplays will be reviewed and analyzed weekly, in addition to a review of real studio "coverage" for scripts in development. We will examine examples of actual feature film scripts in revision, TV scripts, etc. The goal is to develop an outline/treatment for a short film, and write a first draft, and (perhaps) revise it.

Comedy Improv

• WA6-D16
• 5 Wednesdays, 6 - 8 p.m.
• January 18 through February 15
• $95 W&B members / $99 general public
• Instructor: Carol Roberts-Wojcik

Have you ever seen the television show Whose Line is it Anyway? and thought, “I’d like to do that!”? Here’s your chance. Comedy improvisation is the art of plugging audience suggestions into specific theater game formats with the result being at best hilarious and at the least entertaining. In this experiential workshop students will learn the craft of comedy improv through playing warm-up and group building games, skill building theater games, and finally the improv sketches themselves. Students will learn the rules of improv, how to ask the audience for suggestions and how to plug them into a scene, along with brief characterization, projection, and timing.This workshop, held in a trusting and supportive atmosphere, is designed for the experienced and inexperienced improviser, open to all ages.

Standup Comedy

• WA6-D17
• 6 Wednesday, 6 - 8 p.m.
• March 1 through April 5
• $113 W&B members / $119 general public

Stand-up comedy is the art of writing jokes blended with the art of performing them. In this experiential workshop, students will learn the basics of comedy writing and performing. Students will also develop original material outside of class and perform each week for one another. Material covered will include: types of humor, style, attitude, segues, A&B material, ad-libbing, microphone usage, juxtaposition joke writing, and progressive comedy. The workshop will culminate with a show of student work on the last night of class.

Register online

Enter Stage Write:
the Basics of Playwriting

• WA6-D13
• 8 Wednesdays 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
• March 1 through April 19
• $149 W&B members / $159 general public
• Instructor: Paula Marchese

This course is for people who love to watch, read, and write plays. The instructor will talk about what makes a "good story," how to create intriguing characters and lasting images, and how to make use of technical elements such as stage space, sound, and lights. This workshop is meant to inspire, encourage, and inform either beginning or more experienced playwrights eager to learn and improve. The instructor will concentrate on writing, class discussion, and collaborative feedback.

Register online

Writing the Short Play

• WA6-D18
• One Saturday, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• March 18
• $37 W&B members / $39 general public
• Instructor: Joe Sorrentino

Ten-minute plays are becoming more popular at theaters and festivals around the country. This workshop will give participants an opportunity to polish up one short play. The first part of the class will be a discussion of what constitutes a ten-minute play; it’s something more than a skit. In spite of the time constraints of a short play, there is still time to develop story, character, and thematic significance. Participants will need to come to the workshop with a draft of one play, knowing that it will be read aloud, discussed, and critiqued with an eye to rewriting. Information about short play festivals will be provided.

Register online

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