Approach a playwright before you've read anything they've written
Encourage writers to let you read their plays before they're finished
Even if your playwright is still in college
Only work with writers who are willing to make their work better.
Only work with writers who play against the fear.
Listen
Trust your gut.
Self-Produce, you're never going to get offers
Defend your work.
You'll never have as much time as you want/need to produce, so do it anyway
You don't need years of workshops
Hire the best actors you know.
If you lose your free performance space, keep going.
If you lose your free rehearsal space, keep going
Produce the show no matter what.
Rehearse in your living room.
Rehearse with your coat on if you have to.
Keep moving your rehearsal space if you have to.
Start rehearsals even if you don't have a stage manager. But find one as soon as you can. (And hire Sarah Borer. )
Keep giving your actors new pages until it's right.
Hire the smartest person you know to dramaturg
Invite the playwright into the rehearsal room.
Know when to kick them out.
Let the playwright give you notes.
You don't need money to tell a story.
Direct plays about love.
7 is a lucky number and if it shows up anywhere in your play, it's might a good sign.
Know how to get to the point
Only direct plays about people you love.
Always be color blind.
Always be open.
Find the thing we all have in common.
Don't try to please everyone.
Know your strengths.
Know your weaknesses.
Admit if you don't know the answer.
And talk about things that scare you.
Like death and failure.
Bring your own life and experience to every project you work on.
When you're out of ideas, walk around the room.
When you think you're done, imagine the smartest person you know is in the audience.
Try stuff.
If something doesn't work, that doesn't mean it's a failure.
See through every character's eyes like they're the protagonist.
Be crude.
Be funny.
Take it seriously.
Expose yourself.
Take every risk.
Don't be lazy.
Don't apologize.
Exhaust your resources.
And then ask for more.
Wake up every day. Shower. Put on your big girl pants. And get to fucking work.
Know when to rest.
Fall in love with your actors.
Fall in love with your playwright.
Fall in love with your sound designer.
Fall in love with your stage manager.
Remember to thank everyone.
Don't watch after opening night.
Drink a martini and get dressed up on Opening.
Go see new works, you could be watching the next Pulitzer Prize Winner
Or the next Tony/Oscar winner
Or your own personal hero.
Embrace small, blue-collar venues. Give them money, and your presence.
Or just listen to your playwright. ;)
-Mary Rose O'Connor
Moraine opens Sunday, March 29th at 2pm.
Preview Saturday, March 28th at 8pm.
Encourage writers to let you read their plays before they're finished
Even if your playwright is still in college
Only work with writers who are willing to make their work better.
Only work with writers who play against the fear.
Listen
Trust your gut.
Self-Produce, you're never going to get offers
Defend your work.
You'll never have as much time as you want/need to produce, so do it anyway
You don't need years of workshops
Hire the best actors you know.
If you lose your free performance space, keep going.
If you lose your free rehearsal space, keep going
Produce the show no matter what.
Rehearse in your living room.
Rehearse with your coat on if you have to.
Keep moving your rehearsal space if you have to.
Start rehearsals even if you don't have a stage manager. But find one as soon as you can. (And hire Sarah Borer. )
Keep giving your actors new pages until it's right.
Hire the smartest person you know to dramaturg
Invite the playwright into the rehearsal room.
Know when to kick them out.
Let the playwright give you notes.
You don't need money to tell a story.
Direct plays about love.
7 is a lucky number and if it shows up anywhere in your play, it's might a good sign.
Know how to get to the point
Only direct plays about people you love.
Always be color blind.
Always be open.
Find the thing we all have in common.
Don't try to please everyone.
Know your strengths.
Know your weaknesses.
Admit if you don't know the answer.
And talk about things that scare you.
Like death and failure.
Bring your own life and experience to every project you work on.
When you're out of ideas, walk around the room.
When you think you're done, imagine the smartest person you know is in the audience.
Try stuff.
If something doesn't work, that doesn't mean it's a failure.
See through every character's eyes like they're the protagonist.
Be crude.
Be funny.
Take it seriously.
Expose yourself.
Take every risk.
Don't be lazy.
Don't apologize.
Exhaust your resources.
And then ask for more.
Wake up every day. Shower. Put on your big girl pants. And get to fucking work.
Know when to rest.
Fall in love with your actors.
Fall in love with your playwright.
Fall in love with your sound designer.
Fall in love with your stage manager.
Remember to thank everyone.
Don't watch after opening night.
Drink a martini and get dressed up on Opening.
Go see new works, you could be watching the next Pulitzer Prize Winner
Or the next Tony/Oscar winner
Or your own personal hero.
Embrace small, blue-collar venues. Give them money, and your presence.
Or just listen to your playwright. ;)
-Mary Rose O'Connor
Moraine opens Sunday, March 29th at 2pm.
Preview Saturday, March 28th at 8pm.