Four stages. One continuous path. Grow with NFT.
New Federal Theatre's Playwriting Program is a year-by-year path for writers at every level—from your first scene to a completed full-length play and, eventually, the stage.
Study with Master Teachers and have your play be a part of the historic New Federal Theatre's developmental canon.
No MFA required.
No previous production required.
No matter your age or where you are in your writing journey.
You don't have to already be a playwright to become one.
STAGE 1
Mastering the 10-Minute Play; Playwriting Fundamentals
For writers who are new to playwriting
—or writers who want to strengthen their fundamentals.
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You'll learn:
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Character
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Dialogue
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Conflict
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Structure
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Scene construction
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Dramatic action
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Beginning, middle and end
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Revision
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Your goal:
Write a complete 10-minute play.
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You leave with:
A finished 10-minute play
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TIME COMMITMENT
1 year
Semester 1: Oct - Dec
Semester 2: Feb - May
Mondays, 6:00–9:00 PM
Online
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NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE REQUIRED.
STAGE 2
Writing a Full-Length Play;
Building on Playwriting Fundamentals
TAKE YOUR WRITING FURTHER.
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Stage 2 is where writers move from the short form to a complete full-length play.
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The goal isn't to produce a perfect play.
The goal is to finish one.
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You'll develop your idea, characters, structure and story over the course of the year and work toward a complete full-length draft.
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Your goal:
Build a full-length play from the ground up.
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You leave with:
A completed full-length draft ready for further development.
WHO CAN ENTER STAGE 2?
You can enter Stage 2 by:
Completing Stage 1 at NFT
OR
Demonstrating equivalent playwriting experience.
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For writers who have not completed Stage 1, NFT may consider entry into Stage 2 if you have:
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Two completed 10-minute plays, or
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One completed one-act play, or
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One completed full-length play
TIME COMMITMENT
1 year
Semester 1: Oct - Dec
Semester 2: Feb - May
Mondays, 6:00–9:00 PM
Online​​
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Not sure whether you're ready for Stage 2? Submit your work and we'll help determine the best starting point.
STAGE 3
The NFT Playwriting Lab;
Rewriting, Perfecting & Honing the Work
YOU'VE WRITTEN THE PLAY. NOW LET'S DEVELOP IT.
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Stage 3 is for writers who have completed a full-length draft and are ready to do the deeper work of revision.
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This isn't another general playwriting class.
This is a lab focused on one specific play.
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You'll work on structure, character, pacing, dialogue, theatricality and the questions that emerge when a play is put under pressure.
Your starting point:
A complete full-length draft.
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Your goal:
Develop the strongest possible version of that play.
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You leave with:
A substantially revised, production-ready draft.​
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STAGE 3 IS NOT ABOUT STARTING OVER.
It's about discovering what the play is trying to become—and doing the work necessary to get it there.
STAGE 4​
Lifting the Words Off the Page
Playwriting in the Hands of Actors
A play isn't finished when it leaves the laptop.
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Stage 4 brings developed plays into the room—with actors, directors and audiences.
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Depending on the work, this stage may include:
READINGS → BARE-BONES WORKSHOPS → PRODUCTIONS
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Starting point:
A developed play from the NFT Playwriting Lab.
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Destination:
A play that has been publicly read, performed, or produced.
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STAGE 4 WILL LAUNCH AS DEVELOPED WORK BECOMES READY.
