Hey guys!

I just got back from watching my short script “I Can Do This” performed by a community theater group. Wow! Every scriptwriter should do this. I had so much fun seeing my writing given life – as filtered through the director, actors and the audience.

Sure it was only ten minutes long -- with a dry spell or two between laughs -- but it was mine. There was a play before and after mine so it wasn’t laid out like a dead fish for everyone to smell.

Here’s what I learned in community theater in Appleton, Wisconsin (population 70,000):

Playwrights are gods. Your words are not to be changed unless you deign to make it so (or the director at least asks first).

Applause is addicting. Polite applause is less so. No applause sucks. Fortunately, mine was polite.

It’s great to be a part of the audience and listen to reactions. You can talk to them afterwards for feedback.

I thought plays were too talky – not real dialog. But dialog in a screenplay isn’t real either. Succinct writing is still appreciated. I wouldn’t say one is better than the other -- just different. A fellow playwright couldn’t believe our screenplay obsession with “less is more.”

Actors don’t like or dislike wrylies. They do like knowing what the context of a situation is. They practice a lot to get it right in their head, actions and dialog. The director makes a lot of recommendations based on his interpretation of how he thinks the line should be said.

I had an actor thank me for writing a good character for him to play.  None of the other actors said this though.

Don’t expect all the friends you invited to show up or get it once they are there.

Never miss a cast party!

Gary


{Don's edit} Original work can be found here.

I Can Do This by Gary D. Rademan - Short, Drama -  Dennis is a frustrated novice screenwriter. Join Dennis and Mark, his cynical best friend, as he searches for answers at a local open mic night (15  pgs) - pdf, format

Gary, congrats on getting it performed.

Can you please send it to me so I can check it out?

Did you write it in word or a script writing software?

I'm writing a radio play at the moment. Bit old school, but fun.

Again, good stuff.

Congrats Gary!

Must have been a truly exciting experience and one that we all hope for someday - good for you.

AJR

Big congratulations dude!!!

That's really great. Let us know if it's ever online.

Shelton had a feature turned into a stage play once and it was recorded and shown online. Great stuff!  

Gary,

Congrats. If the play is still showing, please either email me or post here info on where 'sconsionites' or otherwise can see the play.

All others can check out the script below.

I Can Do This by Gary D. Rademan - Short, Drama -  Dennis is a frustrated novice screenwriter. Join Dennis and Mark, his cynical best friend, as he searches for answers at a local open mic night (15  pgs) - pdf, format

Congrats, Gary.

I recall seeing that one.

How did it end up being picked up by the group? Did you write it specifically for them, or did they approach you?

Well done, mate.

Andrew

Congrats Gary,

Good stuff.  Always happy to see a SS member's work being recognized in one way or another.

Ghostwriter

Well done Gary, It must have been great to get to see your work done.

Congats , i hope more to come......

Guys, thanks for the congrats!

Tommy - The play was basically the same as the screenplay referenced by Don. I was using Celtx at the time so I just converted the script using the software conversion feature. So, you're going really old school with a radio play. Cool.

AJR - Thanks.  

Pia - I know it was recorded. I never thought of putting it on the Internet. I'll take a look at it and decide then.

Don - Sorry, limited run of one weekend.

Andrew - I joined a local scriptwriters' group and they sponser plays every six months. This screenplay was the only one I had that could be used. They were enthusiastic so I said okay.

Ghostwriter, MC, and Dimitris - Thanks.

Gary