2025 Theater Camp for Writers: A 2-Part Workshop

Jan 25, 2025

Godinez Fundamental High School Library, 3002 Centennial Rd, Santa Ana, CA 92704

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Have you ever wanted to see your scene come to life? Get ready to look at your writing in a whole new way…and have some fun in the process! No acting skills required. Theater Camp For Writers responds to the question: What do the disciplines of directing, acting, and improv have to teach us as writers? Sessions will include lecture, writing exercises, and most distinctly, scene work for your stories in progress, with volunteer actors from the group taking part in live readings (for our initial online meeting) and “play rehearsal” style staging (for our in-person workshop), all while individual authors watch, direct, and receive feedback on character, action, dialogue, voice, narration, pacing, and more. Get ready to look at your writing in a whole new way…and have some fun in the process! Part 1: Jan. 14, 6:30-8:30 PM on zoom. Part 2: Jan. 25, 9:00 AM-1:00 PM at Godinez Fundamental HS.

This 2 session workshop will help you improve your stories using strategies from theater.

When:

Tuesday, January 14th, 6:30-8:30 PM: Part 1, online (zoom) workshop

Saturday, January 25th, 9am-1pm: Part 2, in person 

Price: $75 SCBWI members, $90 non-members

Theater Camp for Writers!

If that sounds like fun to you, then we're guessing it probably will be! Whether you’re an introvert, extrovert, or something in between, this workshop is designed with you in mind. 

Our topics will include:

  • improv for writers (no performance required)
  • scene work w/actors for your story in progress
  • dialogue and dynamics
  • thinking like a director/actor on the page

Feeling Shy?

To be clear: This is a hands-on writing workshop with a theater overlay. No theater experience is necessary here, and no performance skills (or performing) are required. Then again, you might surprise yourself.

Why This Workshop?

Developing ideas and first-drafting? Improvisation. Bringing characters to life on the page? Acting. And how many times have you imagined a story in progress as a movie you're directing?

In which case, what do these disciplines have to teach us, as writers? That question is at the heart of Theater Camp For Writers. 

What's the schedule?

Optional: Prior to class, Chris is asking for excerpts from your works in progress—specifically, short (1-2 page) scenes that involve a focus on dialogue, action, and/or interaction between your characters; or, if you prefer, a full picture book manuscript. During the workshop, we will use volunteer actors (readers) from the group to take parts, read your scenes live, and offer feedback in real time. Due Jan. 7 to Chris Tebbetts. (More details will be emailed to those who register). 

During Part 1, Chris Tebbetts will discuss how improv, acting, and directing can apply to writing. Then we’ll practice scene work where volunteer actors take parts and read the scenes.  

During Part 2, Andrea Loney will present “What standup comedy taught me about writing for kids.”

Then we’ll practice more scene work, putting rewritten (or new) scenes up on their feet with volunteer actors

After the workshop ends at 1:00, you may choose to hang out at a local restaurant and mingle with others from our class.



Presenters

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Chris Tebbetts

CHRIS TEBBETTS is the co-author of the #1 New York Times bestselling MIDDLE SCHOOL series with James Patterson, as well as the bestselling STRANDED series with Jeff Probst from TV’s “Survivor.” Chris is also the author of two YA novels: ME, MYSELF, AND HIM and M OR F? (with Lisa Papademetriou); the bestselling adult thriller 1ST CASE; and the Audible original audio drama, 10 RULES FOR THE PERFECT MURDER, also with James Patterson. Chris came to publishing by way of theater, which was his primary creative outlet from age ten to thirty, including a decade as an NYC-based stage manager, director, choreographer, and producer.

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Andrea Loney

ANDREA J. LONEY's background includes an MFA in Writing, a year on the road with the Big Apple Circus, and three years as a standup comedian in Los Angeles. She is the author of the ABBY IN ORBIT chapter book series, BUNNY BEAR, DOUBLE BASS BLUES, and several other books. www.andreajloney.com (photo @KatSoPhoto)