IN PERSON with Edward Einhorn
(Winter and Spring sessions only)
Whether you write a play or act in one, the building blocks are remarkably similar and both lead to telling a compelling story. In both disciplines, artists work with objectives, actions, obstacles, and an understanding of what makes an audience lean forward and listen. For the playwright, however, the primary tool is language. Characters are built not only through what they say and how they say it, but through what they want and what they do to achieve it.
This class begins with the creation of a world in which characters live and function, then moves into essential fundamentals such as how to begin a scene, how to sustain dramatic tension, and how to arrive at a satisfying ending.
The course is an exploration of playwriting and its core fundamentals. Students may write a monologue, a short work, or a longer play. You may revise and strengthen an existing script or begin an entirely new one. In class, student work is read aloud as a group, followed by discussion and response, often inspiring new writing from everyone involved. The class also includes writing exercises and discussions of selected plays.
The central focus of the class is the development of each student’s unique voice as a writer. Students are expected to offer thoughtful feedback to their peers, learning as much from analyzing others’ work as from examining their own. What makes a good play, and how does a play become better, are questions explored continuously throughout the term.
With each producing season, a selection of student plays is cast with actors from Chelsea Repertory Company and its LAB, and assigned a director. This allows each playwright to experience the rehearsal process with their script in preparation for private Studio LAB readings and public workshop productions. Each year, many plays are selected for production in the Chelsea Rep LAB annual e-MERGING ARTISTS: One Act Play Festival and SUMMERFEST2026: One-act Play Festival.
Please note: Students should plan on spending approximately three hours outside of class each week on reading and writing assignments.
Jeremy Kareken is scheduled to teach in person classes during the Summer and Fall sessions.
ONLINE with Jeremy Kareken
(All seasonal sessions)
Playwriting is a very different craft from writing prose. Writing for actors requires an understanding of the methods performers use to bring a playwright’s words to life. In this class, students learn the subtle techniques characters use to influence one another and how to create situations that are dynamic, engaging, and filled with tension.
Beginning with short dramatic or comic scenes, students gradually expand toward a more fully realized work, either a one act or a full length play. Practical tools are introduced to help writers overcome page fright, the fear of getting started. Students are expected to write every week and bring a minimum of three pages to each three hour class.
The course explores the essential tools of theater, including character, dialogue, theatricality, setting, imagery, actions, and obstacles. Work is shared, discussed, and shaped through focused feedback.
With each producing season, selected student plays are cast with actors from Chelsea Repertory Company and its LAB and assigned a director. Playwrights then move through the rehearsal process in preparation for private Studio LAB readings and public workshop productions. Many plays are chosen each year for production in the Chelsea Rep LAB annual e-MERGING ARTISTS: One Act Play Festival and SUMMERFEST2026: One-act Play Festival.
Please note: Students should plan on spending approximately three hours outside of class each week on reading and writing assignments.
Jeremy Kareken is scheduled to teach in person classes during the Summer and Fall sessions.
Broadway playwright Jeremy Kareken (The Lifespan of a Fact) Chelsea Rep Playwriting LAB held each month.
Student Testimonies:
"Great News! I got an email today from the Riant Theatre, the company that produced my play "Paula's Visitor" and was also read at The Acting Studio a while back. They want my work to be included in their next anthology. I am going to be published and will have a share of the Royalties! Thank you guys for making this work!" - Keith Filangieri (May 2013)
"Good news today. I was accepted to the Woodstock Byrdcliffe Fellowship and Residency (an artist colony for 4 weeks up in Woodstock) to work on writing. The script I had submitted for consideration was MOUNTAIN KING which was developed in Anne's class and then put on last winter's e-Merging Artists Play Festival. Again, many thanks." - Michael Aguirre (May 2014)
"I have fantastic news that I thought you would like to hear. I have been writing screenplays and my screenplay Geneva's Valentine was nominated for Best Feature Comedy at the 2015 Northern Virginia International Film Festival. I also won for Best Feature Screenplay for the same script at the 2015 Beverly Hills International Film festival. Thanks for giving me a wonderful beginning!" -Sheila Robinson (May 2015)
Writers are urged to submit work and/or attend the monthly Chelsea Rep Playwriting LAB.| Session: | Term | Instructor | Day | Hours | Begins | Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter A: 2026 IN-PERSON | 8 wks | Einhorn | Sun | 11:00 am - 2:00 pm | Feb 8, 2026 | $400/ $240* | open |
| Winter B: 2026 ONLINE | 8 wks | Kareken | Sat | 1:00-4:00 pm | Feb 14, 2026 | $400/ $240* | open |
| Spring A: 2026 IN-PERSON | 8 wks | Einhorn | Sun | 11:00 am - 2:00 pm | Apr 12, 2026 | $400/ $240* | open |
| Spring B: 2026 ONLINE | 8 wks | Kareken | Sat | 1:00-4:00 pm | Apr 25, 2026 | $400/ $240* | open |
| Summer A: 2026 IN-PERSON | 8 wks | Kareken | Sun | 1:00-4:00 pm | Jun 28, 2026 | $400/ $240* | open |
| Summer B: 2026 ONLINE | 8 wks | Kareken | Sat | 1:00-4:00 pm | Jul 11, 2026 | $400/ $240* | open |
| Fall A: 2026 IN-PERSON | 8 wks | Kareken | Sun | 1:00-4:00 pm | Oct 4, 2026 | $400/ $240* | open |
| Fall B: 2026 ONLINE | 8 wks | Kareken | Sat | 1:00-4:00 pm | Oct 17, 2026 | $400/ $240* | open |
