Free Community Playwriting Workshop / Online Event

Presented in partnership with Mid-Hudson Library System

Saturday, May 30, from 10:00 am-12:00 pm

(Online via Zoom)

Everyone has an idea for a story, and this is your chance to bring that story to life. Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival’s playwriting workshop will feature exercises that will teach you the basics. Following the workshops, all participants are invited to submit a short play to be considered on the evening of readings known as the HVSF Bake-Off. This year’s Bake-Off theme is Mahicantuck, “The River that Flows Both Ways.”

Registered Now:https://hvshakespeare.org/production/community-bake-off/

Other upcoming playwriting workshops via Zoom…

Saturday, May 23, from 11:00 am-1:00 pm
Presented in partnership with Desmond Fish Library, Garrison, NY

Sunday, May 24, from 11:00 am-1:00 pm
Presented in partnership with The Field Library, Peekskill, NY

Saturday, May 30, from 1:00-3:00 pm
Presented in partnership with The Julia Butterfield Library, a Philipstown Behavioral Health Hub

Sunday, May 31, from 11:00 am-1:00 pm
Presented in partnership with Newburgh Free Library and Safe Harbors of the Hudson , Newburgh, NY

 

COMMUNITY BAKE-OFF

Frequently Asked Questions

 

What is a Bake-Off?
Created by the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel, the Bake-Off is a communal writing event in which writers are given a random list of “ingredients” to incorporate into a play (for example: a kitchen sink, a front porch, and a withheld secret) to help inspire creativity and give writers permission to play. Hudson Valley community members are invited to submit short plays to be considered as part of the HVSF Community Bake-Off. Between 5-7 of these plays will be selected to be performed by professional actors online on Saturday, July 18. 

Who is eligible to participate?
Anyone who has attended any of the bake-off workshops is eligible to submit a play.

When are submissions due?
Play submissions should be emailed as a Microsoft Word PDF file to BakeOff@hvshakespeare.org by MIDNIGHT on Sunday, June 21. They will then be reviewed by a team of readers.

When will I find out if my play has been selected to be part of HVSF2?
We’ll notify you by Friday, July 3.

When will I need to be available if my play is selected?
The performance will be held online on Saturday, July 18. You will also be invited to a virtual rehearsal the day before to give feedback to the actors and director.

How will I know what the ingredients are?
We will generate ideas for ingredients during the HVSF Community Playwriting Workshops, and final ingredients will be emailed to you by Friday, June 5. You should include at least three of these ingredients in your play.

How long does my play have to be?
You should aim for around 10 pages, but if your play is a bit longer or shorter, that is okay.

What information do I need to include with my submission?
On the first page, be sure to include the title, your name, and your phone number and email address. You should also include the setting (time and place) and a list of characters and short descriptions (including age or age range, and any other basic information you think is important to understand your play). For example: HAROLD – male, 50s. Jeannie’s father.

Have questions?
Write Christine Scarfuto: BakeOff@hvshakespeare.org.