Held online via Zoom: For playwrights who have a working craft, this advanced playwriting class focuses primarily on content, structure and criticism. It offers a place to try out skills and develop new material. The emphasis is on writing and rewriting scenes, one-act and full-length plays, with class readings as the goal. Offered in memory of beloved HB playwright extraordinaire, Donna deMatteo.

• Learn more about the instructor.
• Registration Prerequisite: Open to all playwrights who are honing their craft, with experience writing scenes.

For people who lean toward performing AND writing. Most of us have stories to tell; what makes a personal story dramatic? This workshop challenges the solo performer to discover and craft the dramatic structure of the solo play, not just what is on the stage, but what is on the page; with emphasis on imagination, characterization, story, and plot.

• Learn more about the instructor.
• Prerequisite: Open to writers with some prior experience: either prior enrollment in a playwriting class or professional experience as a playwright.

For artists who are interested in developing their own projects, this is an independent class working solo or with a partner on an independent study project that you devise, under the guidance of HB faculty, Snezhana Chernova. Examples of projects include: Writing a screenplay/play, doing a live stream performance series, monologues or scenes, creating a TV pilot, writing music, shooting a documentary or short/feature film, writing poetry etc. You must submit an application at this link for review and approval prior to registering. Within the application you will be asked to include a work-plan, proposed outcome, and the estimated number of hours required to complete the project. Creative projects might be shared in public presentations at the end of the term and/or on HB Studio’s social media channels. Undertaking this Lab requires a commitment to the tech and performance schedule at the end of term, check-ins with the instructor, and weekly 2.5 hour group meetings to report objectives, progress, trouble shoot, present projects, and exchange ideas.

• Learn more about the instructor.
• Performance schedule:
  • Tech rehearsal: Sat, 3-7PM, November 21, 2026.
  • Performance: Sun, 3-5:30PM, November 22, 2026
• Prerequisite: Application required. Apply online.

How does one start writing a play? From inspiration to scene work, this 5 week intensive utilizes sensory and visualization exercises to inspire the beginning playwright toward crafting a unique story for the stage.

• Learn more about the instructor
• Prerequisite: Open to all.

Open to everyone, from first-time writers to experienced playwrights who want to go back to the basics. This class will introduce a variety of dramatic tools in order to build a strong sense of craft. Assignments, written as scenes, will explore elements such as character, relationship, time, place, structure, plot, story, and language. Note: This course will primarily meet in person. However, due to Instructor Ben Benne's professional travel as an actively producing playwright, some class sessions may be held via Zoom.

• Learn more about the instructor
• Prerequisite: Open to all.