#stephen kaplan

[videoreligion]

Amityville 3-D (1983)

[nofatclips]

Kaptain's remix of Space Tunnel by Naxatras

[videoreligion]

Amityville 3-D (1983)

[videoreligion]

Amityville 3-D (1983)

[videoreligion]

Amityville 3-D (1983)

[videoreligion]

Amityville 3-D (1983)

[videoreligion]

Amityville 3-D (1983)

[dramatistsguild]

DG National Report: New Jersey by Stephen Kaplan

@dramatistsguild @bystephenkaplan

One of my favorite things about being part of the Guild is being part of a larger community that features such diversity. In my last update I had the privilege of introducing three of our longest-running members and this time I wanted to highlight three of our newest members.

Not only is Lia Romeo a fantastic writer herself (her play The Grand Tour just won the NJ Playwrights Contest), but she is also a fierce advocate for other writers.

1. Why do you love playwriting?

My favorite thing is how collaborative it is. I’m an introvert, and I need my alone time, just me and my computer and whatever world I’m creating - but I love that when I’m ready, I can work with a whole team of amazing talented people to realize that world and bring it to life onstage.

2. What does it mean to be part of the Dramatists Guild?

I waited a while to join the Guild, but I’m glad I finally pulled the trigger. There are a lot of great benefits - like the Playwrights Welcome program, which I’m so excited about! - and I love knowing that I’m part of an organization that exists specifically to protect and help playwrights.

3. Can you talk a bit about your work advocating for other writers?

I work as the literary manager with Project Y Theatre Company in NYC, and I’ve started a playwrights group under the auspices of the company. We bring in twelve or thirteen writers each year, and it’s a really high-level group - we have Pulitzer nominees and alums of the O’Neill, Juilliard, Sundance, etc. I try to match up writers in the group with opportunities through Project Y as well as other companies I’ve worked with - they’re all doing such good work, and I’ve become really passionate about being a playwright advocate and helping to get that work out into the world.

For the past two years the Guild has graciously offered free student memberships to winners of the NJ Young Playwrights Contest. Here are two of this past year’s winners. Myriam Burger won the contest with her play The Continuum of Infinity.

1. Why do you love playwriting?

It’s a thought-provoking, intimate way to explore my questions, and the aspects of the world/human nature that intrigue or bother me. It’s a way to affect a group of people, help move society, and connect with others.

2. What does it mean to be part of the Dramatists Guild?

It’s truly an honor to be a part of a group of creators, innovators, thinkers – the kinds of people I want to work for and with.

3. How did you start playwriting?

I started writing plays in fourth grade and founded a theatre company with my friend for neighborhood children. I started writing plays for actors above the age of 10 two years ago, when a concept in math class frustrated me, and I wanted to explore it further, so I wrote a play about it.

Jasmine Sharma won the contest with her play Death Rows.

1. Why do you love playwriting?

It’s cathartic and gives me the ability to do a ton of cool things like exploring several sides to one argument or idea. I like being able to defend one side, counter it, and reframe it again in a creative way. Any time I can blame controversial thoughts on my characters instead of taking responsibility for having them myself is swanky.

2. What does it mean to be part of the Dramatists Guild?

It’s an honor I don’t feel like I earned. I look at the other members, and I feel really lucky to be among them.

3. How did you start playwriting?

I was fortunate enough to have had a great teacher who nudged me to write. He cared about my class’s ability to recreate our everyday life in interesting ways. Thanks Mr. Hathaway!!!

L-R Myriam Burger, Lia Romeo, Jasmine Sharma

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