Purpose of the Indiana Playwrights Circle
The purpose of the Indiana Playwrights Circle (IPC) is to encourage and develop playwrights, and to promote script writing, audience development, and related arts.
Check out our Scene Nights!
Background
In 2012, Andy Black moved to Indianapolis with a freshly minted MFA in Playwriting in his hand. Entrepreneurial in spirit, Andy was looking for opportunities and began teaching playwriting at the Indiana Writers Center (IWC). One thing led to another, and the playwriting program there has expanded significantly, and the IWC now offers a full playwriting curriculum (taught by others, including Andy).
In the meantime, a community of playwrights sprang up, spurred by these educational programs, and many different kinds of creative activities have been taking place. Established in September of 2019, the Indiana Playwrights Circle is dedicated to creating community for playwrights and opportunities for them to develop their skills and get their work out.
Activities
Key activities sponsored by the IPC include:
- Open Scene Nights: Up to six playwrights can bring in pages to hear them read by local actors and receive feedback. Each playwright gets about 20 minutes and the discussions are facilitated by our Scene Nights Coordinator. (Note: Writers are responsible for emailing their scripts to Rick Plummer by 5:00 p.m. on the date of the event. Scripts should be no more than 1600 words, in an MS Word file.) Scene Nights are free to members. Nonmembers may have pages read for a $10 fee per event. Audience members are always welcome — it’s free to listen!
- Table Reads: When a play is ready to be read all the way through, a table read may be scheduled. Mary Karty identifies appropriate actors, invites IPC members, and facilitates a discussion after the reading. Members may schedule one table read for free per year. Nonmembers pay $50 for a table read. For table reads, nonmembers must also have the script reviewed by an IPC Officer to ensure readiness for a table read. Write to Mary Karty to schedule a table read.
- Large Group meetings: Once per quarter, the group convenes in a large group format for networking and some type of program of interest to playwrights. These programs are free for everyone in the community.
IPC Virtual Event Policy
Calendar of Events
Membership
Annual membership is $100 per year and includes free Scene Nights, one free table read per year, and a membership for the Indiana Writers Center, which entitles the member to discounted rates for writing classes and workshops.
Still have questions? Email Indiana Playwrights Circle at indianaplaywrights@cjpk.net
Actors
If you are an actor who is interested in being involved in IPC events such as scene nights or table readings, please click here to enter your name into our actors database! Actors in our database will be contacted for both scene nights and table reading opportunities. Please include a headshot! If you are already in our database and would like to update your availability for Scene Nights and Table Reads, please fill out our actor availability sign up form below. Networking with IPC can lead to many more opportunities as well! We look forward to working with you!
Steering Committee
Andy Black: Chair
Sarah K. Ginter: Executive Director, Indiana Writers Center
Rick Plummer: Scene Night Coordinator, Media/website
Ramona Henderson: At Large Member
Mary Karty: Table Reads Coordinator
Elisabeth Speckman: Education Coordinator
Gabby Williams: At Large Member
David Molloy: Scene Nights Actor Coordinator
Janice Neal: Indiana Writers Center Liaison
Becky Schlomann: Communications/Marketing
Wendy Brown: At Large Member
Casey Ross: Secretary
Jeffrey Dalstrom: Indy Fringe Liaison
Celeste Williams: IWC liaison
Questions? Email Indiana Playwrights Circle at indianaplaywrights@cjpk.net.
Open Scene Nights
Every Wednesday, 6:30-9:00 p.m. on Zoom. Write to indianaplaywrights@cjpk.net for a Zoom invitation. See our IPC Virtual Event Policy for Zoom meeting info.
- (Note: There are no open Scene Nights during the week of Thanksgiving or on federal holidays.)
Table Reads
- Table Reads are typically held on the last Thursday of the month. All Table Reads are at 7:00 p.m., EST, unless otherwise noted. To sign up for a Table Read, contact Mary Karty.
- Currently, all Table Reads are held on Zoom at 7:00 p.m. EST. Registration for upcoming events will be available on the Table Reads page.
Quarterly Events
- Currently, IPC holds quarterly, in-person events in Indianapolis on topics of interest to playwrights. Event Registration is typically through Eventbrite. Watch our Facebook page for more information.
Thank you to our partners!
IPC keeps a password protected archive of materials related to our work and mission. Should you like to access archival material, please email ipcinfo@cjpk.net a request, describing your needs, and a team member will respond as soon as possible.