Why Playwrights Cafe?

Submission instructions for many theatres and play writing contests include this phrase: "please, no first drafts." But how do you go from first draft to second draft? Feedback. Getting good, helpful feedback is what this is all about. And hopefully, we will all have fun along the way.

Also, as you sit in a room with a bunch of other people developing plays, eventually the thought crosses your mind that "every one here is competing for the same few production companies that I am going after. This is hopeless." So a second goal of the Playwrights Cafe is to foster a sense of cooperation, supporting each in this difficult, often lonely, endeavor.

Is there a charge?

$10 per meeting. The money goes toward rental of the meeting space, an honorarium for the guests, and maintenance of this web site.

When are the meetings held?

Second Thursday of each month, 7 to 10pm.

Where are the meetings held?

Berkeley Repertory. We shift around at the Berkeley Rep, depending on what space is available. Check the home page for exact location.

By car: Off Interstate 80, take the University Avenue (Berkeley) exit. Go up University toward UC Berkeley. Near the campus, turn right on Shattuck. (On the left corner is a McDonald's.) Then Right onto Addison. You will see the Berkeley Rep Theatre on the right. On the left is a parking garage. Usually we meet at the rehearsal rooms on Center Street, one block south of Addison.

By BART: Take the Richmond line. Get off at downtown Berkeley BART. The main exit from that BART puts you on Center, just across the street from the BRT rehearsal rooms. The Berkeley Rep itself is one block north from the main BART exit.