As playwrights, we usually draw from real-life stories to create a narrative play. However, we can also do extensive research and interviews with people on which to build a documentary theater piece about a dynamic individual or a particular group or people, say veterans or victims of domestic violence. We have the option to create characters based on those interviewees or by using the subject's exact words from an interview transcript in a verbatim piece. In this workshop, we'll discuss the techniques necessary to research a topic and get comprehensive interviews from which to draw material or language for the docudrama. Each student will develop a shorter piece that can stand on its own or be developed into a one-act or full-length play.
This class takes place remotely online via Zoom. Register to receive the zoom link and class instructions.
This class is presented in partnership with Playwright's Local.
Work with the best...
Christopher Johnston has written several docudramas based on extensive, in-depth interviewing, including Sexually Explicit Material about people's sexual experiences and beliefs at Cleveland Public Theatre, Ghosts of War about Vietnam veterans at Dobama Theatre, My Body is Blue about a victim of domestic violence at Dobama and convergence-continuum, and Live Bodies for Sale about human trafficking in Northeast Ohio at Playwrights Local.
