Purpose of the Indiana Playwrights Circle

The purpose of the Indiana Playwrights Circle (IPC) is to encourage and develop playwrights, and to promote script writing, audience development, and related arts.

Check out our Scene Nights!

Background

In 2012, Andy Black moved to Indianapolis with a freshly minted MFA in Playwriting in his hand. Entrepreneurial in spirit, Andy was looking for opportunities and began teaching playwriting at the Indiana Writers Center (IWC). One thing led to another, and the playwriting program there has expanded significantly, and the IWC now offers a full playwriting curriculum (taught by others, including Andy).

In the meantime, a community of playwrights sprang up, spurred by these educational programs, and many different kinds of creative activities have been taking place. Established in September of 2019, the Indiana Playwrights Circle is dedicated to creating community for playwrights and opportunities for them to develop their skills and get their work out.

Activities

Key activities sponsored by the IPC include:

• Open Scene Nights: Up to six playwrights can bring in pages to hear them read by local actors and receive feedback. Each playwright gets about 20 minutes and the discussions are facilitated by our Scene Nights Coordinator.  (Note: Writers are responsible for emailing their scripts to Rick Plummer by 5:00 p.m. on the date of the event. Scripts should be no more than 1600 words, in an MS Word file.) Scene Nights are free to members. Nonmembers may have pages read for a $10 fee per event. Audience members are always welcome — it’s free to listen!

• Table Reads: When a play is ready to be read all the way through, a table read may be scheduled. Mary Karty identifies appropriate actors, invites IPC members, and facilitates a discussion after the reading. Members may schedule one table read for free per year. Nonmembers pay $50 for a table read. For table reads, nonmembers must also have the script reviewed by an IPC Officer to ensure readiness for a table read. Write to Mary Karty to schedule a table read.

• Large Group meetings: Once per quarter, the group convenes in a large group format for networking and some type of program of interest to playwrights. These programs are free for everyone in the community.

IPC Virtual Event Policy

Calendar of Events

Membership

Annual membership is $100 per year and includes free Scene Nights, one free table read per year, and a membership for the Indiana Writers Center, which entitles the member to discounted rates for writing classes and workshops.

Still have questions? Email Indiana Playwrights Circle at indianaplaywrights@indianawriters.org

Actors

If you are an actor who is interested in being involved in IPC events such as scene nights or table readings, please click here to enter your name into our actors database! Actors in our database will be contacted for both scene nights and table reading opportunities. Please include a headshot! If you are already in our database and would like to update your availability for Scene Nights and Table Reads, please fill out our actor availability sign up form below. Networking with IPC can lead to many more opportunities as well! We look forward to working with you!

Steering Committee

Andy Black: Chair

Sarah K. Ginter: Executive Director, Indiana Writers Center

Rick Plummer: Scene Night Coordinator, Media/website

Ramona Henderson: At Large Member

Mary Karty: Table Reads Coordinator

Elisabeth Speckman: Education Coordinator

Gabby Williams: At Large Member

David Molloy: Scene Nights Actor Coordinator

Janice Neal: Indiana Writers Center Liaison

Becky Schlomann: Communications/Marketing

Wendy Brown: At Large Member

Casey Ross: Secretary

Jeffrey Dalstrom: Indy Fringe Liaison

Celeste Williams: IWC liaison

Questions? Email Indiana Playwrights Circle at indianaplaywrights@indianawriters.org.