February 19, 26, March 5, 12, 19, 26, April 2, 9, 16, 23

Wednesdays from 6:30pm – 9:30pm ET

In-Person at ART/NY Studios at 520 8th Ave.

NEW STUDENT RATE: $580

RETURNING STUDENT RATE: $560

Studio Fee: $40

Due to the increasing cost of studio space, our in-person classes will now include a $40 studio space fee to help us offset these costs.

If you’re curious about stepping into the world of playwriting - welcome! In this 10-week class, playwright and performer Iraisa Ann Reilly will help you build a toolbox of the fundamentals, so your first play (and each play you write after that!) can be built on a strong foundation.

This class might be for you if you are:

• A budding playwright who wants to explore an idea that you've been trying to write forever.
• A theater artist boldly crossing the line from one discipline to another and ready to start writing!
• A novelist or poet searching for a new form.

In this class you will:

• Build a toolbox of the fundamentals, including discussions on character, Western dramatic structure, and dialogue.
• For the first half of the semester, generate new work through in-class writing exercises, using these to connect with your subconscious and tap into the characters that are in your heart. 
• In the second half of the semester, focus on workshopping and revising your own short play, bringing in 10 pages each week to share with the class. 
• Share your pages and exercises aloud as a class and have feedback sessions led by Iraisa, learning how to share and receive creative feedback with your peers.
• Read a full length and short play at the beginning of the semester to understand fundamental concepts and have a shared vocabulary.
• Throughout the semester, Iraisa will give non-mandatory reading and viewing suggestions tailored to each playwright to help you on your writing journey.Find community and motivation through and with your fellow artists.

By the end of this class you will:

• Have an understanding of playwriting fundamentals and the workshop process.
• Have written (and re-written) your own ten-minute piece and feel empowered to take your writing into the world, whether through expanding your characters into a full-length play or submitting your short work to festivals.
• Feel inspired and ready to create!

Learn more about Iraisa Ann here.

This class will be fully digital for sharing and reading pages. All pages will be shared via a class Google Drive folder, and we will use devices in class to read each other’s pages. Please come to class with a device (laptop, tablet, etc) and a charger/power cord for your device. If you are unable to bring your own device, please contact ESPA Administration.

February 26, March 5, 12, 19, 26, April 2, 9, 23

Wednesdays from 6:00pm – 9:00pm ET

via Zoom

*Please note that this is an 8-week class

NEW STUDENT RATE: $520

RETURNING STUDENT RATE: $480

Whether you're writing your first play or your hundredth, it's not always easy to set the creative wheels in motion. This 8-week class will guide you through the development of your first draft.

More about class with Tasha: Tasha aims to create a fun, safe, and productive space where you can get the feedback you need to create the best version of the play you want to write. The class is structured as a workshop, where the majority of time will be spent reading work aloud and discussing it. Tasha will guide the discussion and tailor her notes to your style and goals. She'll also use those feedback sessions as a jumping off point to discuss larger playwriting concepts that can be applied to everyone's work.

In the first class, Tasha will lead you through a comprehensive series of exercises to help you begin a play or clarify your vision for a play you have already begun. Then, you will bring pages from your play every week (about 5-10). She will also give exercises intermittently based on the work happening in class. There is flexibility depending on where you are at, and you'll check in with Tasha about your individual goals throughout the semester. By the end of the class you'll have most—if not all—of a new play, along with a toolbox of writing techniques and exercises to apply to your work in the future.

Tasha writes plays that are theatrical, language-driven, and darkly comedic. She is obsessed with form, and a lot of the class exercises will focus on exploring different theatrical tools and styles. All voices and writing styles are welcome and encouraged!

Learn more about Tasha here.

Learn more about First Draft here.