Building the Scene, Leaning on Exposition, and 99 Years of Theatre Americana - Playwright's Spotlight with Donna Scarantino

Send us Fan MailTwo weeks before the opening of her latest piece in the Bellevue Escapades, Donna Scarantino took the time to come sit in the Playwright's Spotlight. We discuss the origins of the Bellevue series and its evolution over the years, her involvement and eventual takeover of Theatre Americana and how playwrights can submit their work, or how actors can become involved in the theatre company. We delve into her growth as a playwright, having a director change your ending, removing oneself from the performance when in one's own piece, her approach to comedy and what farce looks like on the page, leaning too much on exposition, learning to build the scene, and the use of unnecessary language. We wrap things up with Theatre Americana's expectations for submissions, the concept of a play being only as good as its actors, discipline in writing and the first steps after an idea is hatched, playing with structure, the benefits of table reads, and Donna's refraining to submitting to outside entities. It's a lovely conversation that includes a not-so-well known historic opportunity that playwrights may not be aware of. I hope to hear that many of you decided to submit to Theatre Americana after listening to this episode. Enjoy!For tickets to Dr. Freud, I Presume June 5th through June 7th at the Pasadena New Thought Center, visit - https://tickets.evvnt.com/events/dr-freud-i-presume-6-7-2026Donna Scarantino is a playwright, director, costumer, and set designer with over 25 years of experience in the theatre. In 1992, she formed Show of Support Theater Company, Prescott AZ and in 2008 took ownership of Theatre Americana one of California’s oldest independent production companies, established in 1935 to present original plays by American playwrights, expanding and evolving over the years to combine old traditions with new ones. She has written 10 plays in the Bellevue Escapades, and her play Dr. Freud, I Presume is the ninth sequel in the series.To watch the video format of this episode, visit - https://youtu.be/oP72ajfBTtILinks to sites and resources mentioned in this episode - Theatre Americana - https://theatreamericana.comNew Play Exchange - https://newplayexchange.org/get-startedTo submit a play to Theatre Americana, email Donna Scarantino at - [email protected] for Donna Scarantino and Theatre Americana -FB - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009227001624IG - https://www.instagram.com/scarantinodonna/Theatre Americana - FB - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066419812534IG - https://www.instagram.com/theatreamericana/Websites and socials for James Elden, Punk Monkey Productions and Playwright's SpotlightPunk Monkey Productions - www.punkmonkeyproductions.comPLAY Noir -www.playnoir.comPLAY Noir Anthology –www.punkmonkeyproductions.com/contact.htmlJames Elden -Twitter - @jameseldensauerIG - @alakardrakeFB - fb.com/jameseldensauerPunk Monkey Productions and PLAY Noir - Twitter - @punkmonkeyprods                  - @playnoirla IG - @punkmonkeyprods       - @playnoir_la FB - fb.com/playnoir        - fb.com/punkmonkeyproductionsPlaywright's Spotlight -Twitter - @wrightlightpod IG - @playwrights_spotlightPlaywriting services through Los Angeles Collegiate Playwrights Festivalwww.losangelescollegiateplaywrightsfestival.com/services.htmlSupport the show