How Do I Market My Short Play?

[Ralph Robert Moore]

For most of my life, I've written novels and short stories.

Recently, I wrote my first play. It's about half an hour long.

I have no idea how to market it.

How should I proceed? Should I try to get an agent first, or try to get it published, or try to get it produced?

Are there specific agents/publishers/theater groups you'd recommend? The play starts on a light note, then turns serious. Two characters (male, female), one scene, one set, both characters remain fully clothed throughout, but some of the language (a small percentage) is sexually explicit.

I really appreciate any help you can give me.


Rob

[ComicBent]

Some of your questions will be answered if you borrow or buy a copy of Writer's Market and spend some time reading what publishing houses and theater groups have to say.

In general, you have a better chance of getting an agent and a publisher if your work has been performed. Yes, community theaters do count.

As for sexual explicitness, it is a matter of degree. Being risqué and naughty is fine, but do not cut out 90 percent of your audience and publishing possibilities by using really foul language. That stuff may work in artsy big-city theaters in New York and the West Coast, but not in community theaters in Texas, which actually has some excellent theatrical companies in fairly small cities.

[endless rewrite]

For a 30 minute play (why so short?) your best bet for exposure and production is to look out for competitions run by theatres for new writers as these will often involve producing/having readings of 4/5 short new plays rather than a full length play. Start looking at local theatres as well as trawling theatres own web sites for details of new writing schemes.

Without a production record it is highly unlikely that you will get an agent or have the play published. What you need to do is use the play as a calling card and start working on a full length piece.

[QueenB]

It is not usually necessary for a playwright to have an agent, unless you are trying to write for Broadway. Play publishers have their submission guidelines available on line or by mail.
I agree with comicbent about the language. Many short plays are produced by groups whose audiences are not as likely to accept explicit language.
I would look for a contest first and/or a company/school/college to produce it.

[steveg144]

Buy a copy of The Dramatists Sourcebook. It's like Writer's Market, but deals exclusively with platwrighting opportunities.

[winter]

If you're unproduced, go see some plays at your nearest fringe festival, and contact whoever's play you liked most.

[Hillgate]

Approach a few theatre companies (amateur is fine), give them your script and say you'd be honoured if one of them would consider performing it. Then it's up to you to pack the audience with whomever it is you want to see it...