The Playwrights' Center

"The Center is always, always on the side of the writer." -Melanie Marnich

She would know - Melanie, like Kira Obolensky, Allison Moore, Vincent Delaney, and many other working playwrights, has been a Playwrights' Center member since the beginning of her career! In fact, since its inception, the Playwrights' Center's membership program has served thousands of playwrights (including over 1,100 right now!).

What makes Playwrights' Center Membership unique?

It's open to everyone, so you don't need to have had a production or even have written a play to join.
It's primarily web-based, so you don't have to be local to take advantage of everything membership has to offer (in fact, 80% of members are not local).
It's affordable - just $50 per year (that's $4.17 a month!).
And best of all, we're always making it better. A lot of the features available today are the result of feedback from members like you!

Emails from current members:
"Keep up the great work. I use the Playwright's Center exclusively these days to figure where to apply."

"I've really gained a lot since joining The Playwright's Center earlier this year. Your playwriting resources on the web site are incredible."

"So far this year I've had 19 plays produced or performed as readings and most of those opportunities came from your website, so thank you again!”

"I LOVE your service. I just absolutely love it! I've made it as a finalist in 3 competitions you posted, and am waiting to see if the last one chooses my piece to go to production with. Thank you so much for all of the hard work you do for us playwrights."

Sign up today.
Our secure member application, powered by Authorize.net, gives you immediate access to the Members Area and all the great benefits inside. We look forward to welcoming you into our community!

Membership Benefits Since our members hail from 47 states and six countries, we make most of our benefits available online in our Members Area.

Writer's Opportunity Listings
As a member, you'll have access to our database of hundreds of contests and submission opportunities. Search by state, filter by type, and sort by deadline. Everything you need to apply is right there in the listing, so you don't need to jump from site to site.

In addition to submission opportunities sent our way by theaters and contests, we regularly scour the internet to make sure our list is comprehensive and up-to-date. We typically add 5-10 new opportunities each week.

National Calendar of New Work
Have a production of your play going up? Send us the info and we'll put it on our National Calendar of New Work. You can also search for other members' productions and download the event straight to your calendar.

FREE Associate Membership in Fractured Atlas

Fractured Atlas provides artists and arts organizations with access to funding, healthcare, education, and more. As an Associate Member, you'll have access to affordable health and liability insurance, and online courses. Learn more at www.fracturedatlas.org.

FREE Playwriting Seminars and Discounts on Classes
Playwriting Seminars, free two-and-a-half-hour classes with Playwrights' Center Core Writers and Fellows, are offered September through June.
Members also receive valuable discounts off longer writing courses at the Center offered in the Fall and Spring.

Primary Stages/ESPA Class Discount
Primary Stages Einhorn School of Performing Arts in NYC offers in person and online playwriting classes. Playwrights' Center members can save 10% by using the code PWC to sign up. Check out their website to learn more about their offerings.

Discount on Final Draft Software

Final Draft is pleased to offer a special discount to members of The Playwrights' Center. Final Draft is the top-selling professional script writing program for screenwriters and playwrights. Final Draft has worked with The Dramatists Guild to establish a standard script writing format for modern and classical plays. Templates for all Dramatists Guild formats including stage plays and musicals are included in Final Draft software.

Ten-minute plays, monologues, student plays, and Broadway productions have all been written with Final Draft. Final Draft has dozens of writing tools and features that make it easier and faster for you to get your ideas onto the page. These tools including outlining, production, and revision tools. Playwrights' Center members receive an $80 discount on this program (normally $249, members pay just $169). Try out a demo here if you haven't used this program before. Log into the Playwrights' Center site to get the discount code.

30% Savings at Focus Bookstore (www.focusbookstore.com)

Save 30% off your order of theater books from Focus Bookstore. Offering playwriting books, dramaturgy guides, and even screenwriting books, this savings is a great way to increase your resource library. Log into the Playwrights' Center site to get the discount code.

$10 off TCG Membership (including American Theatre magazine)

TCG Membership includes a one-year subscription to American Theatre magazine, featuring five complete play scripts, monthly performance schedules for nearly 500 theaters nationwide, and two special issues (Approaches to Theatre Training and Season Preview). TCG Membership also gives you discounts on theater tickets, ARTSEARCH, TCG books, and much more.

Biweekly eBulletin with Links to Dialogue
Keep up to date with Playwrights' Center news, events, and specials with our biweekly eBulletin. The eBulletin also has links to the online version of Dialogue, our series of interviews with playwrights featured in the Playwrights' Center's prestigious Ruth Easton New Play Series. In addition, you receive a digest of recently added opportunities for submission and links to recent articles relating to the world of playwriting and theater.

Extended Benefits
As a member, you'll have access to additional fee-based programs that put the Playwrights' Center's dramaturgical expertise in your hands!

Public, Professionally Cast Readings of Your Scripts
Member Stage Readings are an opportunity for Playwrights’ Center members to hear their new plays with the support of the Playwrights’ Center and our resources. We offer two different types of member readings to best meet your needs and objectives as a writer: one with a dramaturg and one without. Member Stage readings are open to all Playwrights’ Center members.

Member Stage readings are very bare bone. There is no director and no rehearsal; it is a playwright-driven process. The Playwrights’ Center casting department will cast the reading based on the notes provided to us by the playwright, in addition to Stage Directions reader. We use both Equity and non-union actors who are cast from the Twin Cities very talented pool of actors. Actors are called one half-hour before the reading -- playwrights are encouraged to meet with the cast and help guide them in terms of the tone/spirit of the reading, as well provide any pertinent information to them regarding the play. While we make the scripts available to actors in advance, they are not contracted to read the play before the reading; these are cold readings. All Member Stage reading events are free and open to the public, unless you decide on a private reading.

Member Stage Readings take place in the Center's Waring Jones Theater at 6:30 p.m. on select dates year round. Click here for more information. Email hannahj@pwcenter.org for more information about these readings.

One-on-One Dramaturgy
$150 fee for intensive dramaturgical feedback

This relationship provides a critical read of your play with written and verbal comments by a dramaturg chosen with your work in mind. We have a number of professionals in our network who enjoy helping member playwrights get the guidance and feedback needed to develop as a playwright. This is an excellent value for the time and comments you receive.

How it works:

• The dramaturg reads your play and gives written comments.
• You absorb those comments and then talk with your dramaturg (via email, phone or in person).
• Rewrite your script (if you choose) incorporating those comments.
• The dramaturg reads again (no written comments this time).
• You and the dramaturg have a final conversation.

You and your dramaturg will work together on a specific timeline for each step. However, we ask that the entire process be completed within three months of the date on which it began. Dramaturgs are standing by, waiting for your play. Contact Hannah Joyce-Hoven at hannahj@pwcenter.org or 612.332.7481 x123 to start the process.