RE: totally official and everything

>Finally broke thru a lot of clutter on a play I'm working on. A
>girl at the grocery store (checker-outer person) told me she wanted
>to be an actress - so I am writing a play about that - girl coming
>to NYC to become an actress type thing. At least I've cranked out
>more then 10 pages and it seems to be evolving. At least I'm
>having fun. Well at least it keeps me off the streets at night.
>At least I haven't joined a gang and looted and turned over cars
>lately.


well, to be a playwright at all, you'll have to overcome those
inhibitions. "having fun" is certainly the first prereq to writing a
play. But followed by roaming the streets. (Not only a good source
of material but keeps your switch blade from getting too rusty)
Followed immediately of course, by terrorizing old ladies, holding up
convenience stores and small time arson. The turning over cars part
is just part of the occupation.

If we are serious about writing plays, we'll need to break free from
those mental blocks, the self-imposed limitations that keep us from
mugging strangers. Getting into fights (especially with lead pipes)
is particularly helpful for the monologue. And a well-worn leather
jacket is practically required for stage direction.

Shakespeare was well known for his excellent hot wiring skills,
whereas Brecht was a phenomenal pool shark. As I'm sure you know, "A
Streetcar Named Desire" was written over a series of pay phone
smashing incidents and "Our Town" was the direct result of jumping
subway turn styles. Stoppard may have had maffia ties as he was
collecting "protection fees". Wasn't "Faust" originally written in
spray paint in the back lots of buildings?

One good way to begin writing is by stealing newspapers. One quarter
that allows you to take say 30 papers from a bin, is a good technique
for a short vignette. As you pass phone booths, pick up the receiver
and dial an 800 #. Leave the phone off the hook and continue on your
way. This method can be helpful for inventing plots as you work your
way up to stealing hub caps and the full 1 act.

good luck.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PLASMA STUDII

(on-line press kit)
http://plasmastudii.org

223 E 10th Street
PMB 130
New York, NY 10003