PLAYWRITING WORKSHOP
IMPORTANT FALL 2026 INSTRUCTOR UPDATE:
Jeremy Kareken will be unable to teach in person during the Fall 2026 session. He will continue to teach the Fall 2026 online class as scheduled. The Fall 2026 in-person class offering will be a new Studio class offering, Playwriting For Actors taught by playwright Anne Phelan.
IN PERSON WORKSHOP WITH ED EINHORN
Whether you write a play or act in one, the building blocks are remarkably similar: objectives, actions, obstacles, relationships, conflict, and an understanding of what makes an audience lean forward and listen. For the playwright, however, the primary tool is language. Characters are revealed not only through what they say and how they say it, but through what they want and what they do to achieve it.
The class begins with the creation of the world in which the characters live and function. From there, students explore the essential principles of dramatic writing, including how to begin a scene, sustain dramatic tension, develop compelling characters, and arrive at a satisfying ending.
Students may write a monologue, a short play, or a longer work. They may revise and strengthen an existing script or begin an entirely new one. Student work is read aloud in class, followed by thoughtful discussion and response. The course also includes writing exercises and the reading and discussion of selected plays.
The central focus is the development of each student’s unique voice as a playwright. Students are expected to offer constructive feedback to their classmates, learning as much from examining the work of others as they do from developing their own.
Throughout the term, the class continually returns to two fundamental questions: What makes a good play, and how can a play become better?
ONLINE WORKSOP WITH JEREMY KAREKEN
Offered Each Season
Jeremy Kareken is scheduled to teach online classes only until further notice. (08/27/2026)
Playwriting is a very different craft from writing prose. Writing for actors requires an understanding of how performers bring a playwright’s words to life. In this class, students explore the subtle ways characters attempt to influence one another and learn how to create situations that are active, engaging, and filled with dramatic tension.
Beginning with short dramatic or comic scenes, students gradually work toward a more fully realized piece—either a one-act or full-length play. Practical exercises help writers overcome “page fright”: the fear of getting started.
The course explores the essential tools of theatre, including character, dialogue, theatricality, setting, imagery, objectives, actions, and obstacles. Student work is read aloud, discussed, and developed through focused feedback.
Students are expected to write every week and bring a minimum of three new pages to each three-hour class.
Jeremy Kareken, co-author of the Broadway play The Lifespan of a Fact.
FROM THE PAGE TO THE STAGE
Both playwriting classes are offered in association with Chelsea Repertory Company and its free monthly Playwriting, Acting, and Directing LABS.
Students may bring their work into the Playwriting LAB for further reading, discussion, rewriting, and development. Selected plays may continue through the Chelsea Rep LAB process, where they are cast with actors from Chelsea Repertory Company and the Studio LAB and assigned a director.
This collaborative process gives playwrights the opportunity to experience their work in rehearsal as it moves from the written page toward private LAB readings and public workshop presentations at the Studio.
Each producing season, selected works may also be presented in Chelsea Repertory Company’s annual festival, SUMMERFEST: One-Act Play Festival. These productions give emerging playwrights the invaluable experience of seeing their work developed through casting, rehearsal, direction, and performance before a live audience.
The Chelsea Rep Playwriting LAB is held monthly.
Broadway playwright Jeremy Kareken, co-author of The Lifespan of a Fact. Chelsea Rep Playwriting LAB, held monthly.
Student Testimonials:
"Great News! I got an email today from the Riant Theatre, the company that produced my play "Paula's Visitor" and was also read at The Acting Studio a while back. They want my work to be included in their next anthology. I am going to be published and will have a share of the Royalties! Thank you guys for making this work!" - Keith Filangieri (May 2013)
"Good news today. I was accepted to the Woodstock Byrdcliffe Fellowship and Residency (an artist colony for 4 weeks up in Woodstock) to work on writing. The script I had submitted for consideration was MOUNTAIN KING which was developed in Anne's class and then put on last winter's e-Merging Artists Play Festival. Again, many thanks." - Michael Aguirre (May 2014)
"I have fantastic news that I thought you would like to hear. I have been writing screenplays and my screenplay Geneva's Valentine was nominated for Best Feature Comedy at the 2015 Northern Virginia International Film Festival. I also won for Best Feature Screenplay for the same script at the 2015 Beverly Hills International Film festival. Thanks for giving me a wonderful beginning!" -Sheila Robinson (May 2015)
Students are encouraged to submit their work to the monthly Chelsea Rep Playwriting LAB for continued reading, discussion, and development.| Session: | Term | Instructor | Day | Hours | Begins | Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall B: 2026 ONLINE | 8 wks | Jeremy Kareken | Sat | 1:00-4:00 pm | Oct 17, 2026 | $400/ $240* | open |
| Winter A: 2027 IN-PERSON | 8 wks | Edward Einhorn | Sun | 1:00-4:00 pm | Feb 7, 2027 | $400/ $240* | open |
| Winter B: 2027 ONLINE | 8 wks | Jeremy Kareken | Sat | 1:00-4:00 pm | Feb 20, 2027 | $400/ $240* | open |
| Spring A: 2027 IN-PERSON | 8 wks | Edward Einhorn | Sun | 1:00-4:00 pm | Apr 11, 2027 | $400/ $240* | open |
| Spring B: 2027 ONLINE | 8 wks | Jeremy Kareken | Sat | 1:00-4:00 pm | Apr 24, 2027 | $400/ $240* | open |
| Summer A: 2027 IN-PERSON | 8 wks | Edward Einhorn | Sun | 1:00-4:00 pm | Jun 20, 2027 | $400/ $240* | open |
| Summer B: 2027 ONLINE | 8 wks | Jeremy Kareken | Sat | 1:00-4:00 pm | Jun 19, 2027 | $400/ $240* | open |
