Online Playwriting Circles

Facilitated by Kira Rockwell

Description:

Whether you’re trying to finish a play, start a play, or simply get writing, Sunday Writing Circles are a low level commitment that offers structure, accountability, and time to write. The group is intended for playwrights at all stages in the journey who are seeking community. No lectures, no assigned homework, just offerings, and collective writing.

Writing circles meet for eight sessions, every other week, over the course of four months. Each session will follow the same format. We will begin with a check-in, then we will share resources (for ex: upcoming submission deadlines). We will then read aloud pages from two playwrights and respond with feedback. Playwrights are invited to share an excerpt of their work of their choosing.

Rounding out each session, we will have an open write. During this time you can respond to a writing prompt or work on something playwriting related. On off weeks when we don’t meet, you will be offered a mid session writing prompt.

At this time, playwriting circles are intended for folks who have taken a class with Kira before, worked with her in a 1:1 setting, or are connected through a mutual organization. If you have any questions, please email me at kirarockwell@gmail.com

Writing Circle Details:

Eight sessions, every other week
over the course of four months

Now accepting for the Fall Cycle!

Sundays from 3:00 – 5:00 pm est
Starting August 11th until Nov. 17th 

Session Dates: 8/11, 8/25, 9/8, 9/22, 10/6, 10/20, 11/3, 11/17

Each circle is limited to 10 writers
Cost: $200.00 ($25 per session)

This cost includes a thirty minute, 1:1 session with Kira to individually discuss your writing and your goals.

Testimonials

  • “Kira is an amazing instructor. She did a great job of building a sense of community in the classroom right off the bat. I felt comfortable from the first few minutes of the first session. I learned a ton of invaluable material in such a short amount of time. The class is well structured with each session building and expanding upon the previous one.”

    Former Student

  • “Kira always made space for us to tell our stories from our own cultural perspective. She also made sure to include diverse points of view in the readings and materials we discussed in class.”

    Former Student

  • “The class was a well of inspiration. Kira alternated between reading short scenes, having us discuss them and then providing generative interesting prompts for us to dig into with free writing time. I wrote 1200 words, felt inspired, learned more about my characters and setting, and enjoyed hearing what others had generated. Kira provided thoughtful unique feedback to each student. No improvements necessary! I would jump at a chance to take a class with Kira again.”

    Former Student

  • “Kira is a great teacher- adaptive, thoughtful, playful and her advice was very helpful. I definitely felt encouraged by her- what a wonderful class!”

    Former Student

  • “This class was awesome! Kira was very well prepared and thoughtful about how to get the most out of our time together. I left with a really great toolkit to continue exploring playwriting."

    Former Student

Meet Your Facilitator:

Kira Rockwell is a playwright and educator. She is a recipient of the Gene Gabriel Moore Playwriting award, an Artist Fellow in Dramatic Writing with the Mass Cultural Council, a Recipient of Judith Royer Excellence in Playwriting Award, an Elliot Norton Nominee, and more.

Selected plays include OH TO BE PURE AGAIN (Actor's Express); THE TRAGIC ECSTASY OF GIRLHOOD (Boston Playwrights’ Theatre); and WITH MY EYES SHUT (Original Works Publishing). Her work has been developed with The Kennedy Center, National New Play Network, Great Plains Theatre Commons, among others. Rockwell holds a BFA in Theatre Performance and an MFA in Playwriting from Boston University.

Rockwell teaches at Georgia State University, and previously with Brandeis University, Wheaton College, as well as theaters, and writing centers across New England. Before graduate school, Rockwell worked at the intersection of mental health and arts education. Through a trauma-informed, healing-centered lens, she aims to nurture communal spaces that disrupt passivity and empower agency.

My Teaching Philosophy:

Supporting other playwrights in their artistic journey and careers, is one of my greatest joys. My expertise as a teacher is rooted in trauma-informed writing practices, character development, dramatic structure, cultivating theatricality, and sharply reflecting back areas of great potential. You will be met with a nurturing approach that balances encouragement, professionalism, strategy, humor and passion. I'm a huge nerd when it comes to the theatre so I'll probably curate a reading list of plays just for you as well as share a plethora of professional resources for playwrights, from submission deadlines to podcasts. My feedback is rooted in Liz Lerman's Critical Response Process, which means to say, my feedback is intentionally structured to leave the writer eager and motivated to get back to work. My previous clients have gone on to win fellowships, receive readings, and fully realized productions of their work. Most importantly, my clients have continued forward more confident in articulating their truest and bravest selves on the page and stage.

For all inquiries and script consulting requests,
please contact me at:
kirarockwell@gmail.com