Obviously, thousands of playwrights practice the craft. Not all of them blog or maintain a web presence, which should not reflect upon the strength of their work. The following listings present writers with active, interesting blogs, or with useful or clever websites.
Generally, I did not include writers who don’t identify or tell about themselves (it’s amazing how many folks launch and write a blog, and never explain who they are). I also excluded blogs that appeared to be inactive.
Besides giving readers a chance to meeting some unique people, checking in on other playwrights’ experiences can make a writer feel a little less alone. You can also learn about theatres or other venues that may be suitable for your work. And, of course, you might cross a few places off your list. (Again, do your research.)
If you’d like to have your blog or site included in these listings, drop me a line, but please remember that blogs should be considered active (with posts made within the last three or four months), and blogs and sites should present material of interest to other writers, not just serving as a vehicle for self-promotion (though, understandably, that an acceptable part of the equation).
A retired psychiatrist, Mr.Blatner’s writes about psychodrama, “a complex of role-playing-like tools and concepts that can be used to amplify the nature of communications, and be applied to enhance the effectiveness of therapy, education, and other forms of applied drama.”
A widely published and produced playwright presents advice for new playwrights and interviews practicing playwrights. A lot of playwrights. A book’s worth of playwrights. [Full disclosure: Yes, he’s interviewed me.]
A blog by DonHall, a storyteller, cultural organizer, events producer, provocateur, podcaster, actor, and director. Founding Director of WNEP Theater.
Mr.Wall’s plays have been developed at Abingdon in New York, Kitchen Dog in Dallas, RoundHouse in Maryland, HotCity in St. Louis, and at the Last Frontier Theater Conference. He’s been a finalist at the O’Neill Playwrights Conference, Sundance, New Harmony, and other festivals.
A blog by a New York-based playwright, whose works have been produced across the U.S., including Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, and New York City, as well as London. He makes me feel a little better about having “prolific” sutured to my name.
Mr.Trasler’s blog discusses “secret information” about life, plays, and Canada.
Writing a mixture of verse, prose, realism, and avant-garde, Mr.Trujillo’s work has been produced across the U.S.
Seattle-based playwright and Dramatists Guild representative for Washington.
Essential Theatre provides support for the creation of new dramatic literature; not a playwright’s blog, but their heart’s in the right place.
Friends in Film helps actors and writers gain entry to the film industry.
LauraAxelrod’s blog about “thrillers, theater, books, and acting.” She also delightfully deconstructs advertising. Her plays and monologues have been performed in the U.S. and Europe.
An actor, author, and critic as well as a playwright, her site provides: full texts of many of her plays; over 100 free monologues for student actors and teachers for class use and in auditions or contests; and a blog for her essays and opinions.
A playwright and theater artist, originally from Louisiana and currently based in Philadelphia. His plays, site-specific projects, and participatory live events have been presented across the U.S.
Playwright and IT wizard, helping to link playwrights, theatre, the blogosphere, Twitter, and other resources. Plus he’s the Dramatists Guild rep for WashingtonD.C. A guy to watch.
A director’s theatre observations, interviews, and personal insights. I include him here because he’s so locked into development of new work.
JamesComtois’ musings as a playwright and “armchair thinker.”
Playwright and screenwriter. (Though his blog hasn’t been updated for awhile, it’s worth checking out as he’s a fine writer finding a home for his work.)
A playwright based in Los Angeles. He’s had a couple short plays put up in New York. His blog addresses 64 plays he wrote in 64 days. You’ll have to check it out to find out why 64 was the magic number.
A playwright and teacher in Brooklyn.
A playwright writes on diversity, social justice, and indie theatre.
The literary excursions of a playwright and poet.
A blog supporting young playwrights in New Jersey and beyond.
MatthewFreeman’s blog explores his experiences as a playwright and freelance writer.
Ontological-Hysteric Theater Production Blog
The site hasn’t been active for some time, but it’s still engaging to read of RichardForeman’s work and process.
A clinical and research psychologist, Ms.Caplan writes books and plays, and is an actor, director, and activist.
A blog by the NYTE Small Press, which publishes plays by emerging playwrights.
Mr.Carbajal offer playwriting and copywriting in blog form. Odd but intriguing.
PhilBarron’s blog about playwriting. As he puts it: making all the mistakes so you don’t have to.
A weirdly wonderful blog from Simon, a founding member and writer-in-residence of Lyric Stage Project. He also has been producing, directing, and acting in independent stage productions.
The Pen is Mightier Than the Spork
JamesMoran shares his writing experiences. And an offbeat, droll sense of humor.
Theatre, Culture, Politics & Stuff I Like
DavidJohnson’s blog about the theater industry and his work.
Tony Award-winning, Boston-based writer, musician, homebrewer, and new media artist. Contributes to the blog Five by Five Hundred http://fivebyfivehundred.com/2013/12/02/im-just-saying-2/ in which seven writers contribute 500-word posts seven days per week—an interesting concept in collaboration. Web and new media manager at the Huntington Theatre Company.
A variety of observations from TravS.D., a playwright, actor, cartoonist, and more or less a Renaissance guy.
An Edward Albee Fellow and National Lambda Literary Award Finalist, Vanda was profiled in The Dramatists’ cover story “50 [playwrights] To Watch.”
The Blog @ Boston Court discusses the play-creation process and the lessons it offers.
Steve Patterson's Splatterverse 