Who is behind The Playwrights Cafe?

Steve Lyons, an East Bay playwright, who is still learning, just like everyone else at the meetings. He facilitates the meetings, but is not the "teacher."

How many people go to these meetings?

We typically have about a dozen or more people per meeting. We always welcome new faces.

What happens at a Playwrights Cafe meeting?

The three hour meeting is divided into three sections. The first hour often includes a guest speaker, drawn from the Bay Area theatre world. The guest makes a short presentation on any topic relevant to writing for the theatre. We break for snacks, then we read and discuss scenes brought in by participants. Just as with a book club, between meetings, we read a play in progress written by group a member. So the final 15 minutes we discuss that month's play, giving helpful feedback to the playwright.

How do I join?

Well, there's really not anything to join. If you would like to attend, please call 510-704-8855, or send us email. Then show up and pay $10!

So what does this $10 go toward?

The ten dollars is used to pay for the rental of the space, pay an honorarium to our guests, and pay actors that we bring in to help with our scene reading. No one's making money off of this!

It's not really a cafe is it?

No, but it has the energy of a cafe, where ideas are explored and expanded in a friendly and supportive environment.

Who are these special guests?

To see who we've had, and who is planned for the future, click here.

How do I get my play selected for the "play of the month?"

Every month we select a play as the "play of the month." The playwright then brings in typed, bound copies of the play to the following meeting. We then read the play during the month, and discuss it at the next meeting. So the cycle is: meeting 1: select play; meeting 2, playwright distributes bound copies to members; meeting 3: discuss play.

How do I get a scene read?

Bring enough copies for all the characters. Limit scene length to ten pages or less. We will read and discuss as many scenes as possible.

I've never taken a class or read a book on play writing. Is that okay?

Yes.

I can't attend the meetings. Can I still somehow participate?

YES! Through the Cyber Cafe and through Network Cafe.