First Draft in 4 Weeks: Playwriting Workshop

Bring your story ideas to life in just 4 weeks! In this hands on workshop, playwright and theater-maker Nancy Kelly will guide you through transforming your concept into a complete first draft.

Each week will focus on a key element of the writing process:

Week 1: Discuss/ Brainstorm initial ideas and rough out a plot arc based on dramatic structure principals.

Week 2: Focus on character development and obstcles. Refine the main character’s driving objective.

Week 3: Explore the climatic turning point of a plot and its aftermath.

Week 4: Review the arc of our plays and explore resolutions.

This class will use classical works as models to guide their process, and provide time to read and give constructive feedback on each other’s work.

**Students should bring their own notebook and writing tool, and a laptop if possible.

Every Tuesdays September 8-29, 2026.

Time: 6:00pm-8:00pm

Instructor Bio:

Nancy Kelly is a playwright and theater-maker currently teaching and directing locally at Sacramento Waldorf School. She holds an MFA in Theater from Sarah Lawrence College and a BA in Dramatic Art from UC Berkeley.

Her play Backyard/Desert is currently being developed into an independent film.