Recently on Reddit, a self-identified young person expressed an interest in publishing some plays before beginning a career on the stage. Comments quickly pointed out that most publishers will not consider a script unless it has at least one reviewed performance. Some require more. The Catch-22 there is that most theatre companies won’t consider a play unless they specifically request it. This means a writer either needs an established relationship with that organization or an agent. Both are things that young playwrights rarely have.
My advice to this writer - and to all young playwrights - it to look for opportunities specifically tailored to your age and experience. You can find many of these on the Young Playwrights Guide, of course, and at the heart of the writing I do on this blog. These programs are not only looking for youth-written plays t produce, they aoften include opportunities for writers to receive feedback from theatre professionals. Sometimes, the playwright is directly engaged in rehearsal, or with dramaturgy sessions geared toward strengthening the work. It is a great way to both have a play produced and to continue learning the craft in a low-risk environment with people who genuinely want to work with you.
Also, young playwrights may want to consider ways to take production into their own hands. I’ve been writing and developing plays for nearly 20 years. One piece of advice I’ve always received and given is to get together a group of people you trust and read the play out loud. It may not be the same as a production, or reading, in a professional venue, but plays are meant to be performed not read. Getting the characters’ words into the mouths of others - and outside of your imagination - can help you hear what works and what doesn’t. Revisions done after a reading like this can help refine the script for future submission and potential production.
Digital performance should be considered, too. Covid forced theatre artists and producing organizations to find way s to continue their work while everyone was isolated at home. Google Meet, Zoom, and other online meeting platforms offer free versions that can be used for this purpose. Digital self-publishing is also an attractive and easy way to get your writing published. However, it’ the one thing I would discourage for a young playwright. Many competitions that you are eligible for will ask that plays be unpublished and if your work is in print even as an ebook on Amazon, it will be ineligible. You may get more out of being produced through that young playwrights festival than you will publishing your work on your own.
And with all of that, my advice to young writers is to give yourself some time. Nothing happens right away. Even some of the most seasoned playwrights hit stretches when their work isn’t in production. Just look at all the theatre writers moving to television and screenwriting. Playwriting is an art not an assignment. Take your time with it and get it into actors’ hands any way that you can.