This summer and fall, the Dramatists Guild will again be participating in several different industry conferences, festivals, and other outreach events across the country.
Are you planning to attend any of the following events? If so, please stop by and say hello!
We look forward to seeing you there.
Educational Theatre Association International Thespians Festival in Bloomington, IN
June 19 – 23, 2023
Attending
Emmanuel Wilson, Jordan Stovall, Ioana Preda Buburuzan, Crystal Skillman
Exhibitor Table
The Dramatists Guild will have a table in the Main Hall. Please visit us at Booth #19 and say hi!
DG Panels
Young Dramatists: A Guide to Help Aspiring Writers Become Professional Artists
Wednesday, June 21
8:45am - 10am EDT
Walnut Room, IMU Building
Are you a writer with a love for the theatre? Did you know that you can make a living doing both, and that there are many that already do?
In this thought leadership session led by the Dramatists Guild of America, we’ll briefly discuss some of the things the writers of tomorrow might wish to know as they think about a life in the theatre. Featuring topics and free issues of the Guild’s newest Young Dramatists issue, this session is also a great opportunity for you to meet other theatermakers at ITF with an interest in new writing!
Playwrights Development Initiative
Tuesday June 20, 2023
8am – 11am EDT
(GA) 1128, Global & International Studies Building
This dedicated three-hour workshop with recipients of the Thespy’s Awards for Playwriting will be led by Emmanuel Wilson, Co-Executive Director of the Dramatists Guild of America.
Don't Be Afraid to Be Big: Playwriting for Teens with Crystal Skillman
Tuesday, June 20 and Thursday, June 22 at 10:30am EDT
Wednesday, June 21 and Friday June 23 at 8:45am EDT
(GA)1134, Global & International Studies Building
Every play or musical brought to life starts with a writer. Join acclaimed writer and Dramatists Guild Institute instructor Crystal Skillman (Adventure Time, Geek, King Kirby, The Magician’s Magician) for a crash course on how to inspire students to dream big and find potential through storytelling. You'll learn easy classroom exercises, potential of cross-medium writing, best practices on reading/sharing feedback on work, and how these concepts might translate to any young theatermaker’s arsenal! Expect to leave inspired with new ways to collaborate with students and create new material to share together.
Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas Conference in Banff, Canada
June 22 – 25, 2023
Attending
Jordan Stovall, Jacqueline Lawton
DG Event
Welcome Reception Co-Sponsored by the Dramatists Guild
Friday, June 22
6pm-8pm MDT
BroadwayCon in New York, NY
July 21 – 23, 2023
Attending
Emmanuel Wilson, Jordan Stovall, Tari Stratton, Ioana Preda Buburuzan, Sarah Rebell
Exhibitor Table
The Dramatists Guild will be at Booth 304 with our friends from Maestra. Please visit and say hi!
DG Panels
Spotlight on Women & Nonbinary Musical Theatre Writers (with Maestra)
Featuring Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Christiana Cole, Gretchen Cryer, and Rona Siddiqui
Moderated by Sarah Rebell and Georgia Stitt
Friday, July 21
10am-11am
Winter Garden/Palace Room
Do you know how many of your favorite Broadway songs were written by a female identifying, nonbinary, and/or gender expansive musical theatre writer? How many can you name? Want to learn about what the workers in the industry are doing to pave the way for more?
It’s time to shine a light on the folks who are breaking ground – and breaking glass ceilings – as musical theatre writers!
This conversation, presented by Maestra and The Dramatists Guild of America, will celebrate the trailblazers who have recently made their Broadway debuts and lift up emerging musical theatre writers who are the face of the future by bringing them in the room together. We’ll discuss their experiences, lingering disparities in the industry, as well as the ongoing programs developed to achieve progress, such as Maestra’s new RISE Theatre Directory, The Count, DG’s Inclusion Rider, ongoing DEIA efforts, and other resources developed to address historic inequities in Broadway and the American theatre at large.
“What is the Future of Broadway?” A Dream Session with Global Majority Playwrights and Musical Theatre Writers
Featuring Jordan E. Cooper, Kristoffer Diaz, Christine Toy Johnson, Douglas Lyons, and Helen Park
Moderated by Gaven D. Trinidad
Friday, July 21
11:15am – 12:15pm
Second Stage (Astor Ballroom)
America is defined by the unique tapestry of individuals that comprise its populations, but representation on Broadway still beckons for improvement. How can we adapt our stages to ensure that theatre uplifts and includes everyone’s stories?
Join the Dramatists Guild for a panel of playwrights and musical theatre writers of the global majority in this dream session where we aim to re-define a new Broadway magic that is centered around inclusion and belonging.
Aspiring Songwriters Workshop: Writing a Hit
Led by Adam Gwon
Friday, July 21
1:15pm – 3:15pm
Duffy/Columbia Room
What makes a hit musical theatre song memorable? Have you ever wondered about how some of your favorite Broadway hits made the journey from initial idea to household classic? Join master songwriters for an interactive discussion on how some of our favorite songs were created, and learn a recipe of your own to try out for yourself! Songwriters at all experience levels are encouraged to attend this session.
How Writers Get Paid on Broadway and Beyond
Featuring Joey Contreras, Kristoffer Diaz, Amanda Green, Sandy Rustin, Ralph Sevush, and Doug Wright
Moderated by Rob Laqui, co-founder of The Industry Standard Group
Friday, July 21
2:30pm – 3:30pm
Winter Garden/Palace Room
Have you ever wondered how a theatre writer gets paid before and after that magic moment when a Broadway curtain goes up on the first performance?
For every lit marquee, there is a writer (or team of writers) brave enough to dream up a story worthy of inspiring countless theatre lovers. Some scripts or scores take years -- or even decades-- of development before actors and creative teams bring them to life. How does that impact a writer's compensation?
Join the Dramatists Guild as we lift the curtain behind the mystery of how theatre writers get paid on Broadway!
The Artist as CEO: Sustaining a Life in the Theatre
Featuring Emma Goldman-Sherman, Samuel D. Hunter, Chisa Hutchinson, and Winter Miller
Moderated by Tari Stratton
Friday, July 21
3:45pm-4:45pm
Winter Garden/Palace Room
Are you a Broadway fan who has decided to take your love of theatre to the next level?! Join the Dramatists Guild for a session dedicated to learning how to advocate for yourself in the theatre industry. Discover how to successfully conquer the “business” part of “show business" so that you can start taking control of your career.
In this interactive workshop, participants should expect to learn how to formulate a brief artistic statement to share with others, explore the basics of self-advocacy/business practice as an artist, and be prepared to give and receive feedback from other participants.
Aspiring Playwrights Workshop: Finding Your Superpower
Led by David Henry Hwang, with special guest Martyna Majok
Saturday, July 22
4pm – 6pm
Duffy/Columbia Room
Do your students want to learn how to write a stage play? Discover how to help your students access their inner storytellers and incorporate playwriting into your theatre curriculum!
This educational workshop, taught by contemporary craft leaders, is meant for educators who wish to engage their students through storytelling for the stage. That said, all theatre lovers, writers from other genres/practices, actors, and anyone else who would like to learn about the craft of playwriting is welcome to attend.
The Stories We Tell: Artivism in Action
A Live episode of The Dramatists Guild Presents: Talkback, with Christine Toy Johnson and Danny Burstein
Saturday, July 22
5pm – 6pm
Winter Garden/Palace Room
Join The Dramatists Guild Presents: Talkback host, Tony-honored writer/actor/advocate Christine Toy Johnson, and Tony Award-winning actor Danny Burstein (Pictures from Home, Moulin Rouge, Fiddler on the Roof) for a discussion on using your art to further your activism.
This live episode of The Dramatists Guild Presents: Talkback podcast will examine both the playwright’s perspective and the performer’s perspective, exploring how Christine and Danny aim to bring humanity to controversial characters, illuminate underrepresented stories through their artistic choices, utilize their social media influence to create dialogue, and more.
American Alliance for Theatre & Education Conference - Virtual
July 22, 2023
Attending
Ralph Sevush, John Weidman, Amy VonMacek, Lydia Diamond, Cheryl Davis
DG Panels
A Toolkit for Producing Stage Works on College Campuses During Turbulent Times
Saturday, July 22
11:45am – 1pm EDT
What does the notion of a safe space mean and whom does it serve? How can you resolve potential conflicts between safe spaces and creative/academic freedom?
Discover the Dramatists Legal Defense Fund's Toolkit for Producing Stage Works on College Campuses During Turbulent Times!
In order to address the many compelling concerns raised by the issue of school cancellations, the Dramatists Legal Defense Fund (DLDF) formed a working group of educators, activists, non-profit organizations, and dramatists to study the problem. Two years later, the DLDF created a toolkit that empowers students and educators to work together to resolve these tensions when producing shows on college campuses. This toolkit helps students, faculty, and administrators alike to create opportunities for healthy discussion and disagreement, bound by mutual respect, and unified by a common understanding of the vital role that theatre can play in our lives.
In this focused session, several participants from the College Campus Working Group will go through the toolkit step by step and answer questions from anyone who is interested in learning more.
Can I Do That?: An Introduction to the Dramatists Guild Educator FAQ
Saturday, July 22
1:15pm – 2:30pm EDT
Theatre educators play a vital role in the theatre industry. By teaching today's students, you are training tomorrow's industry leaders. The Dramatists Guild wants to support you in this complex and important task, by providing you with the resources necessary to inform and educate your students about the rights of dramatists.
In this session, centered around the Dramatists Guild's new Educator FAQ, we will explore the nuances of how to use plays and musicals in educational settings. Find out when you need to license a theatrical work in a classroom, discover the parameters for making photocopies of a script or score to share with students, learn what to do if you want to make changes to a licensed script, and more!
American Alliance for Theatre & Education Conference in Seattle, WA - In Person
July 27 - 29, 2023
Attending
Emmanuel Wilson, Jordan Stovall, Ioana Preda Buburuzan, Jessica Lit, Mora Harris, TJ Young, Andrew Creech, Kate Danley, Miriam BC Tobin
Exhibitor Table
The Dramatists Guild will have a table. Please visit at Booth 2 and say hi!
DG Panels
Encouraging a Culture of Care with Theatre Writing
Friday, July 28
10:30am – 11:45am PDT
Theatre was developed to encourage cultural exchange, emotional growth, empathy, and new ideas. How can we open spaces for students to explore these concepts from a place of honesty, while ensuring that they feel supported throughout the process?
At this session, presented by The Dramatists Guild of America, we will examine pre-existing systems of exploitation in the American theatre industry and consider how to recreate our collective notion of theatre in terms of what we teach. By expanding the canon to incorporate inclusion and prioritizing the importance of theatre writing in the educational system, we can collectively reinforce a culture of care.
The Power of Playwriting in Education: Accessing Emotional Honesty Through Storytelling
Friday, July 28
4:15pm – 5:30pm PDT
Do your students want to learn how to write a stage play? Discover how to help your students access their inner storytellers and incorporate playwriting into your theatre curriculum!
This educational workshop, taught by contemporary craft leaders, is meant for educators who wish to engage their students through storytelling for the stage. That said, all theatre lovers, writers from other genres/practices, actors, and anyone else who would like to learn about the craft of playwriting is welcome to attend.
Association for Theatre in Higher Education Conference - Virtual
July 31, 2023
Attending
Ralph Sevush, John Weidman, Amy VonMacek, Lydia Diamond, Cheryl Davis
DG Panels
A Toolkit for Producing Stage Works on College Campuses During Turbulent Times
Monday, July 31
10:30am – 12pm CDT
What does the notion of a safe space mean and whom does it serve? How can you resolve potential conflicts between safe spaces and creative/academic freedom?
Discover the Dramatists Legal Defense Fund's Toolkit for Producing Stage Works on College Campuses During Turbulent Times!
In order to address the many compelling concerns raised by the issue of school cancellations, the Dramatists Legal Defense Fund (DLDF) formed a working group of educators, activists, non-profit organizations, and dramatists to study the problem. Two years later, the DLDF created a toolkit that empowers students and educators to work together to resolve these tensions when producing shows on college campuses. This toolkit helps students, faculty, and administrators alike to create opportunities for healthy discussion and disagreement, bound by mutual respect, and unified by a common understanding of the vital role that theatre can play in our lives.
In this focused session, several participants from the College Campus Working Group will go through the toolkit step by step and answer questions from anyone who is interested in learning more.
Association for Theatre in Higher Education Conference in Austin, TX - In Person
August 3 - 6, 2023
Attending
Emmanuel Wilson, Jordan Stovall, Ioana Preda Buburuzan, Frankie Gonzalez, Teresa Coleman Wash
Exhibitor Table
The Dramatists Guild will have a table. Please visit and say hi!
DG Panels
Theatre Writing and Anti-Racist Pedagogy
Thursday, August 3
5pm – 6:30pm CDT
Theatre was developed to encourage cultural exchange, emotional growth, empathy, and new ideas. How can we open spaces for students to explore these concepts from a place of honesty, while ensuring that they feel supported throughout the process?
At this session, presented by The Dramatists Guild of America, we will examine pre-existing systems of exploitation in the American theatre industry and consider how to recreate our collective notion of theatre in terms of what we teach. By expanding the canon to incorporate inclusion and prioritizing the importance of theatre writing in the educational system, we can collectively reinforce a culture of care.
Theatre Education Conference in St Pete Beach, FL- In Person
September 28-30, 2023
Attending
Emmanuel Wilson, Jordan Stovall, Ioana Preda Buburuzan, Jessica Lit, Stephen Kaplan
Exhibitor Table
The Dramatists Guild will have a table. Please visit and say hi!
DG Panels
The Courage to Produce: Finding Innovative Ways to Present Work on Your Campus
Saturday, September 30
9am – 10:15am EDT and 3:45pm – 5pm EDT
Amidst challenges like state legislation and potential controversy, educators often face hurdles in presenting certain works in American high schools. This timely and essential session hosted by the Dramatists Guild will explore strategies to equip educators in navigating these complexities. Delve into concepts such as equal protection vs. free expression, academic freedom, and responding to controversy. Engage in thought-provoking discussions that provide valuable insights and support for educators seeking to explore dynamic content in stage works. Let's foster an environment where educators feel empowered and supported as they navigate the conversation surrounding impactful material in educational settings.
What I’m Teaching Now: Exploring New Plays in Your Classroom and Onstage
Saturday, September 30
10:30am – 11:45am EDT
Embrace the importance of integrating new plays into your classroom to nurture the next generation of theatre artists and audiences while expanding the theatrical canon. Join us in this enlightening workshop as we delve into the why and how of incorporating modern texts. Gain valuable tools to effectively integrate and advocate for new works, empowering your teaching practice. Prepare to leave inspired, equipped with fresh insights and strategies to introduce innovative material into your classrooms. Together, let's embark on a journey of teaching something new and exciting!
Dream Session for Theatre Educators and Writers: Fostering Collaboration and Empowering Young Theatre Makers
Saturday, September 30
2:15pm – 3:30pm EDT
Join us for a captivating Town Hall session hosted by the Dramatists Guild, where we create a space for theatre educators and writers to engage in meaningful dialogue. Recognize the vital roles of both educators and writers in shaping high school theatre experiences. Together, we'll explore the reciprocal relationship between educators and writers, discussing shared struggles, goals, and aspirations. Discover the power of collaboration as we delve into resource sharing and goal mapping, working hand in hand to uplift and empower young theatre makers. Let's embark on this inspiring journey as we collectively work towards our shared mission.
