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How To Playwright

Lauren Gunderson

Hosted by award-winning playwright Lauren M. Gunderson (author of I and You, Silent Sky, The Book of Will and fifteen other published plays and musicals), How to Playwright is an exuberant long form discussion of the craft, creativity and joy of playwriting and theatre-making spanning the practical to the philosophical, the strategic to the aesthetic.

Each episode will unpack theatrical concepts, dramaturgical tools, and creative inspiration for those who wish to explore, appreciate, and create plays.

This is a podcast for lovers of theatre, creative writing, and storytelling.

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  • 18 episodes
  • Avg 45 min
  • English

Episodes 18

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  • S2 · E4
    Friday · 36 min

    Thee List

    Lauren chats about The annual Most Produced Plays / Playwrights List: the data it tallies, what it tells us and how to get on it.

  • S2 · E3
    September 12 · 54 min

    Dialogue!

    Lauren talks about writing and understanding dialogue. Let's unpack the difference between informational, emotional, musical, silent dialogue... and the power of profanity ;)

  • S2 · E2
    March 9 · 46 min

    Explosive Midpoints!!

    We discuss understanding, creating and perfecting the midpoints of our plays. Big stakes, big shifts, no turning back. Intro music by Joriah Kwame!

  • S2 · E2
    Nov 29, 2025 · 48 min

    How to Begin

    We talk about getting through the beginnings of your new play, how to start writing, getting through the first 30 pages, writers block, inspiration, and keeping things moving and interesting and vivacious.

  • S2 · E1
    Nov 19, 2025 · 53 min

    Season Opener! Q + A with Lauren

    Welcome back for Season 2 of HOW TO PLAYWRIGHT. We start with a Q+A before the launch of full episodes coming soon. Hosted by Lauren Gunderson Theme song by the brilliant Joriah Kwamé.

  • S1 · E12
    May 13, 2025 · 46 min

    Behold the Body Theatric: Theatre, Theology and My Dad

    A special guest - my dad, Rev. Dr. Gary Gunderson - joins the podcast to discuss the powerful truths of theatre, theology, activism, art, public health, hope and healing. The shared root of the words "theatre" and "theology" is the Greek word "theasthai" which mean "to behold," and we discuss how both of us have explored the ways our vocations behold the ultimate to inspire, empower, and unify. My dad discusses my work in the theatre and his work as a man of faith/politics/health - including his now iconic book and philosophy "Leading Causes of Life" and the work of academic Bastienne Kline. We talk Greek theatre, new plays, old religions, fresh activism, congregations of all kinds, and how we can and must stand up for the good in the world.

  • S1 · E11
    Feb 23, 2025 · 43 min

    Two Handers - Double Double

    Lauren talks about writing two handers and how this efficient form of dramatic writing tests your craft and technique as a playwright, while also preparing you to hone the basic skills for all other dramatic writing.

  • S1 · E12
    Feb 3, 2025 · 53 min

    Theatre As Thought Experiment

    This episode is my lecture "Theatre as Thought Experiment" as given at Southern Utah University in 2024 and discusses the intersection of science and theatre, dramatic structure and scientific method, and the "laboratory of life" that great theatre offers us all.

  • S1 · E9
    Dec 2, 2024 · 37 min

    Life Cycle of a New Play

    We discuss the steps from First Draft to Opening Night and beyond in this episode all about a new play's journey through premiere to publishing and on and on. This one goes in the weeds a bit about what to expect in a rehearsal process, rewriting in production and what to do once you've had your premiere.

  • Oct 13, 2024 · 47 min

    Character as Contrast, Compliment, Battle

    Let's talk about writing and developing and deepening characters in your plays. We explore main characters as well as side/supporting characters, and how the web of characters are kept taut through battle, contrast and compliment.

  • Sep 14, 2024 · 51 min

    Endings Beget Beginnings

    Lauren discusses starting plays at their endings - climactic endings, denoument, flavors of endings and more.

  • S1 · E4
    Aug 16, 2024 · 48 min

    Scene Structure: Change, Roller Coasters and Fractals

    We discuss scene writing through dramatic structure but at the scenic level. Macro-structure, micro-structure, Mandelbrot, and musicals help us unpack how to write successful scenes for your new play.

  • S1 · E2
    Aug 2, 2024 · 53 min

    Main Characters: Fervent, Urgent, Flawed

    A discussion of how to create compelling, energetic main characters that can fuel a great play with fervent and urgent wants, needs, complexities, and antagonistic forces. Hosted by Lauren M. Gunderson Original intro music by Joriah Kwamé

  • S1 · E2
    Jul 30, 2024 · 24 min

    First Read: What We Learn From A Very First Reading

    I take you with me before and after my favorite moment in any new play's life: the very first table reading of a never-before-heard new play. What do I listen for, what can writers learn from hearing it out loud for the first time, what good work comes out of this bountiful moment in development. Let's discuss! Thanks for listening! Hosted by Lauren Gunderson Original intro music by Joriah Kwamé

  • S1 · E1
    Jul 30, 2024 · 54 min

    Dramatic Structure: Beginning, Midpoint, Ending

    We dive right into a simplified discussion of ye olde dramatic structure, covering the general concepts of beginning/midpoint/ending in playwriting. We talk dramatic structure as begin akin to the scientific method, and how plays are "thought experiments." As usual I rant on "Hamlet," love stories, and architecture metaphors. Enjoy! and thanks for listening. Intro music by Joriah Kwamé.

  • Jul 30, 2024 · 25 min

    Prologue: Write or Wright?

    Welcome! This is the first outing for "How To Playwright," in which I tell you a little of the why and the what of this podcast, as well as the "who is this for." To playwrite or playwright? Host: Lauren M. Gunderson Original theme music by the amazing Joriah Kwamé Watch the original pandemic playwrighting sessions and interviews here: https://www.facebook.com/LaurenGundersonPlaywright/videos

Showing 1–18 of 18 episodes