Playwriting in the Pacific Northwest
This survey is gathering information about the experience of being a playwright in the Pacific Northwest. Artists Rep and the Dramatists Guild are exploring what makes this region uniquely challenging and promising. You may be anonymous if you prefer, but please answer all questions to the best of your ability. We appreciate your responses and thoughts!
Name
First Name
Last Name
Email
example@example.com
What part of the PNW do you live in? (select one)
*
British Columbia
Washington
Oregon
Idaho
Do you live in a (select one):
*
Major metropolitan area
Mid-sized city or town
Rural area
How would you describe your connection to the PNW? (Select the best fit)
*
Lived here all your life
Grew up in PNW, left for school/career/other, and came back
Moved here from elsewhere more than 5 years ago, but now it's home
Moved here less than 5 years ago and am making it home
Lived in PNW long enough to be imprinted by it, but now live elsewhere
This is one of many places I have called or will call home.
Other
How many professional productions have you had? (For this, "professional production" means that all people working on the production were paid, and you received royalties or an equivalent payment.)
*
None (yet!)
1
2-4
5-7
More than 7
What are three characteristics of your work that show up in every play? (e.g., "poetic language", "ethical dilemmas", "strong non-binary characters")
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Your personal experience
What are the advantages to playwrights living in the PNW? (check all that apply)
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It’s an inspirational place
Working in a smaller market makes it easier to stand out
The cost of living is better than in New York, LA or Toronto
Audiences are enthusiastic about supporting local work
Increased opportunity to create long-term connections with local industry professionals
Opportunity to create art that resonates with with the community
I feel more connected to the community and my fellow artists
Local theatre companies are interested in telling regional stories
There are none
Other
What are the challenges to playwrights living in the PNW? Please drag/drop these into order of significance. The most important should be at the top, least important at the bottom. Please use "None of the challenges below affect me" to separate any that you do not experience.
*
Have you considered moving from the PNW for your career as a writer?
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Yes
No
If you’ve considered moving away, what makes you stay?
If you had no obligations keeping you in the region, how likely would you be to move away for your writing career?
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Unlikely
1
2
3
4
Very likely
5
1 is Unlikely, 5 is Very likely
PNW Artistic Ecosystem
Do you feel that there are sufficient resources in the region for aspiring playwrights to develop their craft?
*
Yes
No
If no, what is missing or insufficient?
If there was a support network for PNW playwrights, what activities and programmatic elements would help build a thriving artistic community here? Please select the 5 most important to you. (You will see an error message if you select more than 5)
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Opportunities for mentorship with more experienced writers
Access to writing classes and workshops
A convening of writers from the entire region for networking and sharing work
A central source for information about PNW playwrights, productions, and festivals
Festivals of readings featuring all-regional work
A searchable database of PNW plays
Having space to gather and write together
Networking and support for affinity groups (e.g., People of the Global Majority, Indigenous Peoples, LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities)
A way to build connections with producers, artistic directors, and organizations
Skill building workshops about the business side (grant writing, pitching, project budgeting, etc.)
A PNW theatre-specific podcast or web series
Annual awards for regional writers to draw national attention
Co-productions and co-development of PNW projects
Other
Optional: What else would you like us to know? Is there a challenge you have faced you'd like to share?
Thank you very much for filling out this survey! We appreciate your time and thoughts. Would you be open to answering additional surveys about your experience as a PNW playwright in the future? If yes, please be sure you've included your email address above.
Yes
No
Submit
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