COMIC WRITING FOR DRAMATISTS - BRINGING THE FUNNY, led by playwright Anthony Clarvoe, Sept. 18, 4:00PM –5:30PM Pacific Time. tinyurl.com/ComicWriting4Dramatists
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION
Few things make a playwright feel more glee than hearing an audience burst into laughter. Few moments are more painful than the punchline that inexplicably fails to land. Luck is part of it. Years of work, too. But there are also some tricks of the trade (and some sound dramaturgical principles) that will up your odds.
No matter how Serious a Playwright you are, laughter is a necessary part of the theatrical experience. (ANGELS IN AMERICA? One laugh after another. Henrik Ibsen? Gets his yuks. What's the most committed political theater in America? The SF Mime Troupe. Case closed.)
In this workshop, we'll discuss how you develop and maintain a sense of humor. We'll look at character combinations, plot structures, and scene situations that will help you bring the funny. We'll talk about the Power of Frustration, the Space for the Take, Percussion Machines, the Long Payoff, and plenty more.
We might even have a few laughs.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
Anthony Clarvoe's plays have been hailed by critics across the country as "witty," "exceptionally clever," "boldly comedic," "smart, sassy," "a crowd pleaser," and yes, "funny." He has made the reviewer for the New York Times shed happy tears. Clarvoe has been a dramaturg, mentor, and teacher for OLLI@UC Berkeley, the Bay Area Playwrights Festival, Playwrights Foundation, PlayGround, TheatreFIRST, Stagebridge, St. Mary's College, Playwrights Center SF, Play Cafe, and numerous colleges and universities. His scripts have received many productions, commissions, grants, and awards. They are published by Broadway Play Publishing, Inc.
REGISTRATION
Suggested donation of $15-$25. tinyurl.com/ComicWriting4Dramatists
Registrants will be sent an email with Zoom instructions from programs@playcafe.org.
