Instructor: James Hindman
Whether you are in the middle of a project, starting a script from scratch or revisiting a first draft from your trunk, you already possess, deep inside you, everything you need to jumpstart your art and bring forth your unique voice. This workshop includes exercises to keep you going from first draft through revisions. As a supportive collective we’ll read and discuss our pages in class as well as experience two afternoons of a “silent retreat” and a one-on-one session for each writer. Whether you are starting with an idea for a full-length play, moving forward with a work-in-progress or wanting to focus on one-acts, this workshop will provide you with positive support by de-mystifying the playwright’s process through a set of tools. Are you a writer who starts from character or from story? You’ll work at your own pace as we examine themes, structure, dialogue and character in an environment that brings out and channels your creativity. The goal is to move forward with your writing and rewriting while keeping the “play” in playwriting.
James Hindman is an award-winning playwright and actor. His plays have been produced in London, New York, Los Angeles and across the U.S. He’s performed on Broadway, appeared in several television shows and films, and is also co-owner of the theatrical licensing and producing company, Miracle or 2 Productions. His one-man show, What Doesn’t Kill You, was recently produced at The International Dublin Theatre festival where it received a 5 Star review in the Irish Times and was nominated for three Oscar Wilde Awards.
As a writer, his Off Broadway credits include: Popcorn Falls directed by two-time Tony Award Winner Christian Borle (Chosen ‘Top Twenty Theatrical Moments of 2018’), Pete 'N' Keely (Outer Critics Award nomination, two Drama Desk nominations), The Audience (Drama Desk nomination), A Christmas Survival Guide, Being Audrey (Transport Group, NEA Grant recipient), The Gorges Motel, One Christmas Eve At Evergreen Mall (NYFringe Festival) and his one man show, What Doesn’t Kill You.
His other works include Multiple Family Dwelling (New Jersey Rep.), The Bikinis (Long Wharf, Goodspeed Musicals), The Drama Department (Terrence McNally Award finalist), Heaven Help Us (Denver Center, Carbonell Award nom.), and The Pin-Up Girls (Casa Manana Theatre). His plays are published by Dramatist Play Service, Samuel French, Stage Rights and Dramatic Publishing. Many of his short plays and monologues are published by Smith & Kraus and Applause Books. He has been a featured artist at the Last Frontier Theatre Conference, is a member of The Dramatist Guild of America and a substitute teacher for Playwriting at The Barrow Group.
As a performer: Film and Television: “The Report”, “Oceans 8”, Marvel’s “Iron Fist”, “The Americans”, recurring role on Steven Spielberg’s “Public Morals”, “Madam Secretary”, “Forever”, “Believe”, “Person of Interest”, “Hostages”, “House Of Cards”, “Henry’s Crime”, “The Sopranos”, "Law and Order, SVU, CI”, “Rescue Me” and “The Blacklist”. Broadway and tours: Mary Poppins, The Scarlet Pimpernel, 1776, City of Angels, A Grand Night for Singing, Once Upon a Mattress, Falsettos, Dancing at Lughnasa.
