Playwriting and Adaptation Workshop
with Steven Gaultney
This Playwriting and Adaptation workshop examines the theatrical event from the perspective of a community of writers investigating pre-existing works.
In this course on dramatic adaptation, you’ll both learn about the craft of adapting classic plays and, through the practice of adaptation, examine yourself as a writer: What types of stories are you drawn to? What happens to those stories when they have the pleasure of meeting you? Through eleven weeks of writing assignments and exercises, you'll practice the discipline of adaptation by communing with stories from the past and exploring the resonance between their ancient truths and your own unique voice. By the end of this course, you will have completed a polished one-act adaptation, as well as an assortment of shorter pieces through exercises designed to help you develop your own personal method of interacting with the classic stories most meaningful to you.
Find time slots for the workshop at your nearest location
11 weeks, September – December 2023
-
Los Angeles - Slot A (all Fridays)
September 8, 6 PM-9 PM
September 15, 6 PM-9 PM
September 22, 6 PM-9 PM
September 29, 6 PM-9 PM
October 6, 6 PM-9 PM
October 13, 6 PM-9 PM
October 20, 6 PM-9 PM
October 27, 6 PM-9 PM
November 3, 6 PM-9 PM
[Week off for Diwali]
November 17, 5 PM-8 PM ** (note DST change)
[4 Week Break]
December 15, 5 PM-9 PM (note 4-hour class)
Los Angeles - Slot B (all Saturdays)
September 9, 6 AM-9 AM
September 16, 6AM-9AM
September 23, 6AM-9AM
September 30, 6AM-9AM
October 7, 6 AM-9 AM
October 14, 6 AM-9 AM
October 21, 6 AM-9 AM
October 28, 6 AM-9 AM
November 4, 6 AM-9 AM
[Week off for Diwali]
November 18, 6 AM-9 AM
[4 Week Break]
December 16, 6 AM-10 AM (note 4-hour class)
-
New York - Slot A (all Fridays)
September 8, 9PM-12AM
September 15, 9PM-12AM
September 22, 9PM-12AM
September 29, 9PM-12AM
October 6, 9 PM-12 AM
October 13, 9 PM-12 AM
October 20, 9 PM-12 AM
October 27, 9 PM-12 AM
November 3, 9 PM-12 AM
[Week off for Diwali]
November 17, 8 PM-11 PM ** (note DST change)
[4 Week Break]
December 15, 8 PM-12 AM (note 4-hour class)
New York - Slot B (all Saturdays)
September 9, 9AM-12PM
September 16, 9AM-12PM
September 23, 9AM-12PM
September 30, 9AM-12PM
October 7, 9 AM-12 PM
October 14, 9 AM-12 PM
October 21, 9 AM-12 PM
October 28, 9 AM-12 PM
November 4, 9 AM-12 PM
[Week off for Diwali]
November 18, 9AM-12PM
[4 Week Break]
December 16, 9 AM-1 PM (note 4-hour class)
-
London (all Saturdays)
September 9, 2 PM-5 PM
September 16, 2 PM-5 PM
September 23, 2 PM-5 PM
September 30, 2 PM-5 PM
October 7, 2 PM-5 PM
October 14, 2 PM-5 PM
October 21, 2 PM-5 PM
October 28, 2 PM-5 PM
November 4, 1 PM-4 PM ** (note DST change)
[Week off for Diwali]
November 18, 2 PM-5 PM ** (note DST change)
[4 Week Break]
December 16, 2 PM-6 PM (note 4-hour class)
-
Cairo (all Saturdays)
September 9, 4 PM-7 PM
September 16, 4 PM-7 PM
September 23, 4 PM-7 PM
September 30, 4 PM-7 PM
October 7, 4 PM-7 PM
October 14, 4 PM-7 PM
October 21, 4 PM-7 PM
October 28, 3 PM-6 PM ** (note DST change)
November 4, 3 PM-6 PM
[Week off for Diwali]
November 18, 4 PM-7 PM ** (note DST change)
[4 Week Break]
December 16, 4 PM-8 PM (note 4-hour class)
-
Delhi - Slot A (all Saturdays)
September 9, 6:30AM-9:30AM
September 16, 6:30AM-9:30AM
September 23, 6:30AM-9:30AM
September 30, 6:30AM-9:30AM
October 7, 6:30AM-9:30AM
October 14, 6:30AM-9:30AM
October 21, 6:30AM-9:30AM
October 28, 6:30AM-9:30AM
November 4, 6:30AM-9:30AM
[Week off for Diwali]
November 18, 6:30AM-9:30AM
[4 Week Break]
December 16, 6:30 AM-10:30 AM (note 4-hour class)
Delhi - Slot B (all Saturdays)
September 9, 6:30 PM-9:30 PM
September 16, 6:30 PM-9:30 PM
September 23, 6:30 PM-9:30 PM
September 30, 6:30 PM-9:30 PM
October 7, 6:30 PM-9:30 PM
October 14, 6:30 PM-9:30 PM
October 21, 6:30 PM-9:30 PM
October 28, 6:30 PM-9:30 PM
November 4, 6:30 PM-9:30 PM
[Week off for Diwali]
November 18, 7:30 PM-10:30 PM ** (note DST change)
[4 Week Break]
December 16, 7:30 PM-11:30 PM (note 4-hour class)
-
Singapore - Slot A (all Saturdays)
September 9, 9AM-12PM
September 16, 9AM-12PM
September 23, 9AM-12PM
September 30, 9AM-12PM
October 7, 9 AM-12 PM
October 14, 9 AM-12 PM
October 21, 9 AM-12 PM
October 28, 9 AM-12 PM
November 4, 9 AM-12 PM
[Week off for Diwali]
November 18, 9AM-12PM
[4 Week Break]
December 16, 9 AM-1 PM (note 4-hour class)
Singapore - Slot B (all Saturdays)
September 9, 9PM-12AM
September 16, 9PM-12AM
September 23, 9PM-12AM
September 30, 9PM-12AM
October 7, 9 PM-12 AM
October 14, 9 PM-12 AM
October 21, 9 PM-12 AM
October 28, 9 PM-12 AM
November 4, 9 PM-12 AM
[Week off for Diwali]
November 18, 10 PM-1 AM ** (note DST change)
[4 Week Break]
December 16, 10 PM-2 AM (note 4-hour class)
-
Melbourne (all Saturdays)
September 9, 11AM-2PM
September 16, 11AM-2PM
September 23, 11AM-2PM
September 30, 11AM-2PM
October 7, 12 PM-3 PM** (note DST change)
October 14, 12 PM-3 PM
October 21, 12 PM-3 PM
October 28, 12 PM-3 PM
November 4, 12 PM-3 PM
[Week off for Diwali]
November 18, 12 PM-3 PM
[4 Week Break]
December 16, 12 PM-4 PM (note 4-hour class)
About the Workshop
This online workshop will be facilitated by The Theatre of Others Dramaturg and Resident Playwright Steven Gaultney, a Brooklyn-based playwright. His plays include A Thousand Ships at the Bottom of the Sea, Limb from Limb, Negligence, and Adam’s Dream. His work has also been developed by Chautauqua Theatre Company and Theatre for a New Audience. M.F.A.: Columbia University.
Praise for working with Steven
"This course was the absolute most fun I had in a long time. It really broke down my walls as an artist wanting to dive deeper into writing and adapting plays. Steven and my beautiful classmates were amazing at creating such a safe space for everybody that it boosted my confidence and encouraged me to be the free and spontaneous writer that I've always been. I highly recommend it for anybody who wants to go all in with their writing and connect with people who can support and enrich your work."
Raiya Basalamah ("Playwriting and Adaptation" Course Participant; Beautiful, Audio Play Festival 2022)
"I retained Steven to dramaturge two short plays I had in development. He read them more than once, carefully and insightfully, and in two separate 90-minute sessions with me, offered his critique, both in big-picture and small-picture terms. I could not have been happier with the results. With tact and sensitivity, he identified those elements of the plays that were missing or needed refinement or could be improved. In short, he delivered precisely what I was seeking, a thoughtful, professional, and constructive reading. I have no reservations in recommending him to other dramatists, aspiring or otherwise.
Michael Posner (Dead of Winter)
"I am a better writer because of Steven Gaultney,"
Budi Miller ("Playwriting and Adaptation" Course Participant, Kool-Aid & Wine)
“Steven is a skilled, devoted, and caring reader and adviser who knows how to help dramatic artists define and clarify their goals, and also how to balance that with how audiences will experience the finished work. So often, when a writer turns to somebody for help, the conversation seems good in the moment but then of limited help once it comes time to actually write. Steven's insights are all actionable.”
Michael Gural-Maiello (Success in Contemporary Corporate Praxis, Audio Play Festival 2022)
Additional praise for Steven
Justin [Tan] and I were first-time playwrights putting together Tales from the Arcadia. Steven was our outside eye, telling us what we couldn’t see and helping us iron over the inconsistencies. But more than that, he encouraged us to explore those ideas that had the greatest potential. Steven’s advice was both creative and practical. For the first time, I appreciated that I was writing for actors and directors as much as for the audience. Steven provided every possible perspective and gave me the confidence to make final decisions about my work. And most of all, he was thoughtful and kind in doing so.
— Sabina Gerardi, Playwright, Tales from the Arcadia, TOO Audio New Play Festival episode 82
Sabina Gerardi
Justin Tan