Introduction to Playwriting

Participants will explore all the necessary elements of writing for the theater including; how to write realistic dialogue that leaps off the page, how to craft vibrant and exciting characters, how to infuse action and conflict into their work, and more! Workshops will include a variety of writing exercises/prompts aimed at spurring creativity, open discussion of craft and technique, and workshopping student material. Students will walk away with the beginnings of their own dramatic scenes, which will be shared and developed in class. Since these workshops build on each other, we ask that folks do their best to attend all sessions.

Ean Miles Kessler is a playwright, theater educator, and storyteller. A Rutgers BFA Acting graduate, Ean studied at Shakespeare’s Globe in England under esteemed director and Tony nominee Tim Carroll. As a playwright, his work has been produced nationally and internationally; his play “Frankie Moon’s Long Gone” was named as a finalist for the 2020 Carlo Annoni Prize in Italy; a finalist for the 2021 Ashland New Play Festival; and was a semi-finalist for Landing Theatre Company’s 2021 New American Voices Playwriting Festival. Previously, Ean was the Network Director & Education Director at Chicago Dramatists, where he headed the Network Playwright Program. Currently Ean teaches playwriting and storytelling with: Chicago Dramatists, No Joke Theater, Red Willow Learning Center, the Missoula Public Library, and the Lifelong Learning Center, among other organizations. Ean has been a proud Dramatist Guild Member since 2012.