The call came in the early afternoon. That very morning I had seen three—count 'em—three rejection slips. This was the fifth year of my...

In Part I of this post I promised to address why I encourage everyone at the table to speak their minds freely and openly. Here’s why. I...

We’re having the first workshop rehearsal for my new play, The Viking Suicides. Two of the cast members have been through this process...

It's called Writer's Block, that agonizing period fraught with insecurity when the creative river dries up. Writer's Block: when you need...

Seems like a simple concept, and yet many playwrights continue to keep themselves away from the rest of the profession. I've heard them...

Make coffee. Write. Think about taking shower. Write. Change title. Write. Daydream. Write. Feed/change baby. Write. Eat. Write. Realize...

Every once in a while the question comes up: how detailed should I be with my set directions? For me, the answer is easy. For others it...

It’s happened to most of us. We’ve just finished the staged reading or performance of our newest play, and we sit next to the director,...

Synopsis: 1. a brief or condensed statement giving a general view of some subject. 2. a compendium of heads or short paragraphs giving...

Company noun. 1. a number of individuals assembled or associated together; group of people. 2. companionship; fellowship; association. 3....

I hate giving line readings. Here's my mindset: When I cast a certain actor I do so because of a dozen different things: detected...

Okay, at the very first my reaction was “Really? What the hell is the point of asking, anyway?” Then I ruminated on it, cuddling the idea...

You know the look. It's the look that people get when they’re processing what you've just said and they have come up against a huge...

I’m quite uncomfortable discussing matters of race, ethnicity, and religion. Being a middle-class generic white dude of the Heinz 57...

The last question in the post-show talkback was “In your opinion, what was the theme of the play?” Decent question, and one most likely...

I hear that every so often. I also hear: “Mr. Crankypants”; or, “Well, fine, but *I* liked it.” And my favorite: “Someone needs a nap.”...

I always know it’s out there . . . lurking . . . waiting . . . with a sly Cheshire grin on its face, frolicsome malice in its heart . . ....

[Warning: This essay was written a few months ago, then abandoned and forgotten because things piled up. I started another essay a few...

I wouldn't give up playwriting for anything. But every once in a while the absurdity of life juuuuust misses contact with my funny bone....

Friends from all over are alerting me to the news that anthropological research teams have found and positively identified the skeletal...