You’d have to be crazy to attempt to outline, write, and present a play in four days. Fortunately, this is a crazy industry.

You will begin this triathlon intensive on Friday night by outlining a play, be it a current project or something totally new. Writing exercises will push you to make honest decisions about character, structure, and conflict before you can second guess yourself. There will be no time for inhibition.  On Saturday and Sunday, Primary Stages will become a writers’ room. Be prepared to generate more pages than you thought possible in one weekend. Don’t be surprised if your pens run out of ink or your keyboard starts smoldering. Cusi will sprinkle surprises throughout these days to shake up your perspective, pulverize writer’s block, and ignite spontaneity. And then you’ll write some more. On Monday, actors will join you to read your work—specifically, your problem scene—and then have a dialogue about what you should attack next.

Part creative immersion and part goal-driven boot camp, this Outline-Write-Present Triathlon can serve as a supplement to a 10-week class or as an independent undertaking. Sore muscles aside, you will leave with a strong sense of direction for your play and an abundance of raw material.

You will be given a homework assignment prior to the start of the intensive.