International Play Development Program

[Dan Zellner]

ATTN: UNIVERSITIES, PLAY DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS and PLAYWRIGHTS
 
 
STUDIO Z, a nonprofit play development organization based in Chicago, is in the
process of designing an International play development program utilizing the
Internet.  We would like your feedback in order to further develop this
project.
 
Our program is outlined below.  Please take a minute to answer the three
questions that follow.  Your help is greatly appreciated.
 
If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at studioz at mcs.com.
 
We look forward to hearing from you.
 
Dan Zellner - Artistic Producer
Bryan Garey - Artistic Director
 
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Studio Z has a history of working with artists all over the world using the
Internet.  Our "Voices from Down Under" series garnered enormous attention in
Chicago last year. Recently, "The Monologue Show" (a program for television
featuring pieces by playwights from across the globe) aired in Chicago and will
soon be viewed worldwide on the Internet.  Studio Z has been invited to present
its work at the upcoming ATHE conference in San Francisco.
 
Our new program:
 
THE PLAYWRIGHT IN ELECTRONIC RESIDENCE
 
This program involves the selection of a limited number of promising
International playwrights.  Synopses of their works would be given to
participating
universities and theatres for consideration.  The host university/theatre
would then
 select a play for development and a workshop would be arranged wtih
Studio Z serving as facilitator.  The program is named "Playwright in Electronic
Residence" because the host institution  and  the playwright would be in
communication via e-mail
throughout the whole process.  There would be set guidelines and basic
ground rules for the workshops
and various levels of workshops would be available to hosts:  from simple
reading to full production.
 
We envision that as the program grows, an international network of organizations
would be established.  This network would allow for new levels of cultural
exchange and provide for exciting new collaboration possiblities.
 
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
 
QUESTIONS FOR UNIVERSITY/THEATRE ORGANIZATIONS:
 
1.  Is the "Playwright in Electronic Residence Program" something that might be
useful for your organization?  Why?  Why not?
 
2.  What suggestions would you make to help this program fit your needs and
desires?
 
3.  When does your organization plan its season of programs?
 
QUESTIONS FOR PLAYWRIGHTS:
 
1. Would this program appeal to you? Why? Why not?
 
2. As a playwright, what are your primary concerns in the play
development/workshop
    process?
 
3. Any suggestions for the program?
 
 
Please forward your comments to studioz at mcs.com.
 
Thank you.
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