Get Yourself Out There!

I had a conversation today with a friend who felt that his career as playwright was stuck. He had an Off-Broadway play produced a few years ago, and has a couple of other Broadway-bound projects in the works, but progress is slow and he is getting discouraged. So he asked me for some advice about kick-starting his career.And now I’m sharing that advice with everyone.

1. Get yourself out there! My friend wanted to focus on a few potentially high-profile commercial projects in New York. Even though he doesn’t live in New York. But the vast majority of theatre happens outside of New York. Many playwrights become successful by developing working relationships in theatre communities where they live. For example, Chicago has a great theatre community, and countless playwrights have cut their teeth there. There is also a thriving theatre community in the New Hampshire – Boston area. And good reviews from out of town productions do hold sway with agents and other gatekeepers. As does a demonstrated passion for writing.To be clear, while it is possible that working in your local theatre community may lead to New York, it’s worth asking yourself if New York success is really what you want. Many, many people have fulfilling and respected careers in theatre without ever coming to New York.
2. Get your work out there! There are playwriting competitions and Shakespeare festivals all around the country. If you can’t be someplace in person to network, that doesn’t mean you can’t submit your work. Winning prizes can be just as helpful in opening doors as are good out of town reviews.
3. Have fun! No one chooses to work in theatre for the money, myself included. We do it because we have a passion for the industry and for the art form. So get out there and see what other people are doing in all areas of the industry. My friend was happy to see shows at LORT theatres, but I encouraged him to find a couple of good 99 seat theatres, or smaller. To see what’s happening on the bleeding edge, to be inspired. Because a playwright who focuses only on commercial projects is like a pastry chef who only makes cronuts.

In a thumbnail, share your passion with the world wherever you can, whenever you can. That’s the best way to create momentum in any creative field.