The Hamner Theater

in partnership with

Shenandoah International Playwrights Retreat

is holding the

Second Annual EARL HAMNER PLAYWRIGHTS CONFERENCE

July 16 through August 5, 2007

Click here to see the events open to the public

Click here to see the list of playwrights attending the 2007 Conference.

The Earl Hamner Playwrights Conference is a three-week residential workshop for eight - ten playwrights. It is a venue for them to work on and experiment with new scripts in a company of experienced actors and directors. We give the playwrights time and space to work on their own visions. The directors, dramaturgs, actors, and technicians will be there to help the playwrights make their vision into as much of a reality as a staged reading can give.

The playwrights are chosen based on unproduced scripts or ideas for plays submitted to us, as well as for their professionalism and commitment to their craft.

During the residency, the playwrights will continually rewrite and experiment with their scripts both in and out of rehearsals. Along with informal discussions and meetings with directors and dramaturgs, the playwrights will participate in a seven-stage process.

1) They will read their plays aloud to the assembled group of playwrights, directors, and dramaturgs on the first three days.

2) They will participate in the opening workshop exercises.

3) They will workshop their plays with the actors of the company and their director and dramaturg.

4) They will meet daily with their director and dramaturg to talk over the development of their plays and goals of their rewriting work.

5) They will be present at the staged reading of their play (offered free to the public) on the final days of the conference.

6) They will participate in the final question and observation session after the performance of their play.

7) They will have a final meeting with the director/dramaturgs to discuss in depth their work – both the process and the results.

Directors/dramaturgs for the 2007 Conference:
Mary Amato
Shana Gold
Paul Hildebrand
Carol Pedersen
Boomie Pedersen
Robert Graham Small
Richard Washer

Conference Staff:
Peter Coy – Co-Artistic Director, Hamner Theater
Boomie Pedersen – Co-Artistic Director, Hamner Theater
Robert Graham Small – Artistic Director, Shenandoah International Playwrights Retreat
Guinn Baker, Production Manager
Betty Hales, Company Manager