How might a writer begin to approach the process of constructing a play? What sets apart playwriting as a form from other creative writing genres? Put another way, what makes a play a play? Through a range of exploratory exercises as well as dissection and discussion of texts, participants will begin shaping and assembling the building blocks of a play, and along the way discover and/or refine their personal process as writers - from drafting to crafting to lifting text off the page so it may find its place
Engage-a-Dramaturg is an initiative matching playwrights and dramaturgs for a 4-month collaboration. This programme aims to:Bring together and build relationships between playwrights and dramaturgs who may not have had opportunities to work together before Encourage extended script development conversations between playwrights and dramaturgs Provide space for developing the playwright’s vision outside of the imperatives of a production or a commissionInstigate conversation around the value of the
1 November 2026 - 28 February 2027 | 12:00 - 12:00pm
Being part of a new play development process is thrilling and challenging work. While a playwright brings the core vision, it requires a distinct skillset from the surrounding creative team to help that vision mature without overtaking it.This three-part workshop is designed for dramaturgs, directors, and producers who want to create collaborative rooms and processes that centre the developmental needs of the playwright and their play. The series is led by Amber Bradshaw, Managing Artistic Director of the n
TOOLS returns for a second edition following its successful 2025 run! Led by New York-based playwright Sean Dunnington, this workshop series is designed for playwrights curious about theatricality, the unique magic of theatre that invites audiences to “believe” what they see on stage is true to life even while knowing it is not real.Across five sessions, participants explore theatrical principles such as substitution, stage illusion, the fourth wall, and how space and time shape a play’s structure. Each wor
Engage-a-Dramaturg is a new initiative matching playwrights and dramaturgs for a 4-month collaboration. This programme aims to:Bring together and build relationships between playwrights and dramaturgs who may not have had opportunities to work together before Encourage extended script development conversations between playwrights and dramaturgs Provide space for developing the playwright’s vision outside of the imperatives of a production or a commissionInstigate conversation around the value of t
1 November 2025 - 30 March 2026 | 12:00am - 11:59pm
Text Support is a series of workshops offering different perspectives and tools that dramaturgs might bring to their work with playwrights developing new plays. This series features international guest dramaturgs Lynde Rosario (past president of the Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas), Steve Harper (Literary Manager, Theatre 503, UK), Brian Quirt (Artistic Director, Nightswimming, Canada), and Annie Jin Wang (Assoc. Director for Artistic Programming, PlayCo, US).
12 August 2025 | 8:00 - 9:30pm
18 August 2025 | 8:00 - 9:30pm
2 September 2025 | 8:00 - 9:30pm
8 September 2025 | 8:00 - 9:30pm
Online via Zoom
Lynde Rosario, Steve Harper, Brian Quirt, Annie Jin Wang
An Introduction to the Dramaturg’s Work is a 4-session foundational course that will provide an introduction and grounding for performing arts practitioners who are curious about or want insight into the work that dramaturgs do.Conducted fully online by Centre 42’s Consultant Dramaturg Juliet Chia, this course aims to equip participants with an understanding of and familiarisation with:the brief history and evolution of the role of the dramaturgthe nature and scope of a dramaturg’s work different kinds
Tools is a workshop series by our visiting resident playwright Sean Dunnington for playwrights curious about theatricality - the unique magic of theatre that invites audiences to “believe” what they see on stage is true-to-life, even while knowing it's not real (to an extent). Each session dives into a specific element of this conceptual spell, blending discussion, hands-on activities, performance, and experimentation.These workshops are suitable for playwrights/writers who are engaged with/thinking about c