Parody, Writing the Fool Proof Play, and Writing for Young Performers and Audiences - Playwright's Spotlight with Dean O'Carroll

James Elden's Playwright's Spotlight

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Playwright and parodist, Dean O'Carroll, sat in the Playwright's Spotlight this week. We discuss his origins as a playwright and the knowledge gained from a Bachelor's Degree in theatre to an MFA in playwriting and the differences from learning from lecture opposed to the practicalities of writing and the challenges he overcame including pushing through doubt. We touch on the process of writing farce and parody and the benefits of drawing from popular works, the risks of publishing before production, and whether or not it's possible to write a fool (actor) proof play. We also discuss publishers requesting changes, especially without permission, juggling and compartmentalizing multiple works, writing and collaborating for and with younger playwrights and opening doors, and how writing in other mediums benefits playwriting. Another wonderful and insightful learning experience. I hope you take something away from this episode.
Dean O’Carroll is a playwright and parodist originally from Amherst, Massachusetts. His parody plays Back to the 80s: A Risky, Goonie, Breakfasty Tale of Totally Tubular Time Travel; Star Stars: The Franchise Awakens; Marvelous Squad: A Super-Heroic Tale with Avengeance; The Humor Games, and the Sally Cotter trilogy are published by Playscripts and have been staged by schools and theatres around the world. His online play Greek Gods Under Quarantine is published by YouthPLAYS. He has also written material for “Weekend Update” on Saturday Night Live and several children’s books about DC Comics superheroes. He holds a BA in Drama from Vassar College and an MFA in Playwriting from Brandeis University. He was taught writing at Quinnipiac University, Simmons College, CUNY, Occidental College, and Widener University.
To view the video format of this episode, visit the link below -
https://youtu.be/yZ-7U65sy70
Links to sites and resources mentioned in this episode -
Playscripts -
https://www.playscripts.com
YouthPLAYS -
https://www.youthplays.com
Heuer Publishing -
https://www.hitplays.com/default.aspx
Pioneer Drama -
https://www.pioneerdrama.com
Brooklyn Publishing -
https://www.brookpub.com
Eldridge Publishing -
https://histage.com/
Socials for Dean O'Carroll -
IG - @deanocarrollplays
Twitter/X - @deanocarroll
DB - fb.com/deanocarrollplays
Websites and socials for James Elden, Punk Monkey Productions and Playwright's Spotlight
Punk Monkey Productions -
www.punkmonkeyproductions.com
PLAY Noir -
www.playnoir.com
PLAY Noir Anthology –
www.punkmonkeyproductions.com/contact.html

James Elden -
Twitter - @jameseldensauer
IG - @alakardrake
FB - fb.com/jameseldensauer
Punk Monkey Productions and PLAY Noir -
Twitter - @punkmonkeyprods
- @playnoirla
IG - @punkmonkeyprods
- @playnoir_la
FB - fb.com/playnoir
- fb.com/punkmonkeyproductions
Playwright's Spotlight -
Twitter - @wrightlightpod
IG - @playwrights_spotlight
Playwriting services through Los Angeles Collegiate Playwrights Festival
www.losangelescollegiateplaywrightsfestival.com/services.html

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