EPISODE · Apr 7, 2026 · 1H 2M
"Tends to be" Structures, Crazy Spaces, and Giving Characters What They Want - Playwright's Spotlight with Olivia Dufault
from James Elden's Playwright's Spotlight · host James Elden
Send us Fan MailOlivia Dufault took time to sit under the Playwright's Spotlight before the opening of her latest play - "For Want of a Horse." In this discussion, we unpack her introduction and journey into playwriting, learning from past influencers, learning through evolution and gaining focus yet learning from lack of collaboration. We explore her path of starting new work, entering the flow state and giving characters what they want, her impetus of learning structure and the lessons of overwriting, writing in "crazy spaces" and achieving the suspension of disbelief. We delve into the influence and tapping into Greek tragedies, the concept of "Tends to Be" structures vs unconventional approaches, motivation through music as well as keeping outlandish characters real. We wrap things up sharing her experience finding fellowship opportunities and the benefits of them being in-person, the time for being comfortable to share, creating your own group, and building your own community. These are only a few topics amongst others that playwrights of all levels will benefit from. Enjoy!For Want of a Horse opens at the Echo Theater Company in Atwater Village in Los Angeles on April 18 thru May 24. For tickets, visit - https://echotheatercompany.ludus.com/index.phpOlivia Dufault is a playwright, screenwriter and comic book writer. Her plays include Year of the Rooster and The Tomb of King Tot, both named “Critic’s Pick” by The New York Times, and The Messenger. Her plays have been performed at the Ensemble Studio Theatre/Youngblood, the Flea Theatre, the Marin Theatre, the 52nd Street Project, the Theater for the New City, UpStart Theater, and the Stray Dog Theater, among others. In addition to the Venturous Playwrights Fellowship, she is the recipient of a Playwrights of New York Fellowship, a Sloan Commission, the David Colicchio Emerging Playwright Award, the Lipkin Playwriting Award, and three Harle Adair Damann Playwriting Awards. To watch the video format of this episode, click - https://youtu.be/iI_QnnUkB0sLinks to sites and resources mentioned in this episode - The Pony Playwriting Contest - https://www.equusippe.comYoungblood Theatre - https://www.ensemblestudiotheatre.org/youngbloodEcho Theater Company - https://www.echotheatercompany.comSocials for Olivia Dufault -IG - @livdufaultWebsites 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
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Send us Fan Mail Olivia Dufault took time to sit under the Playwright's Spotlight before the opening of her latest play - "For Want of a Horse." In this discussion, we unpack her introduction and journey into playwriting, learning from past influencers, learning through evolution and gaining focus yet learning from lack of collaboration. We explore her path of starting new work, entering the flow state and giving characters what they want, her impetus of learning structure and the lessons of ...
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"Tends to be" Structures, Crazy Spaces, and Giving Characters What They Want - Playwright's Spotlight with Olivia Dufault
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