Outcomes: What Writers Learned at the DRAFTS Readings
The energy in the room during our recent series of DRAFTS readings was nothing short of electric. For a creator, there is no moment quite as vulnerable - or as vital - as the transition from a private script to a living, breathing performance.
At Drama Club, we created DRAFTS to be a sanctuary for one of the most vulnerable parts of the creative process… the very first reading. We asked our writers to share their takeaways from the experience, and the sentiment was clear: to build something great, you first have to be brave enough to let it be heard.
LIVING: Proving the Impossible Concept
For Michelle and Taylor, the reading served as a vital "proof of concept" for a deeply emotional premise.
The Big Question: They set out to see if it was possible to write a life-affirming musical about suicide. The reading confirmed that the story and characters deeply moved the audience.
A Foundation of Trust: Knowing the core emotional beats land allows them to move forward with confidence.
The Roadmap: Hearing the work aloud helped them identify repetitive elements in the score and pinpoint exactly which character decisions need more development.
COLE PORTER IS MY IMAGINARY VR BOYFRIEND: Bridging the "Head-to-Page" Gap
Dylan and Charlie used the reading as a diagnostic tool for their show’s unique blend of VR, "gay pop escapism," and complex character arcs.
Clarifying the World: They realized how much lore was living in their heads but hadn't yet made it onto the page.
The Power of Tone: Testing "disjointed styles" of music helped Dylan see exactly what resonated, helping them "song-spot" to ensure future writing won't be cut as the story evolves.
The Evolution: The focus now shifts to making the audience care more deeply about the protagonist's addiction spiral while keeping the tone "quirky, eccentric, and strange."
A PAIN IN THE NECK: The Freedom to Fail
For Zonia and Erin, the most liberating part of the process was the environment of Camp itself. Sometimes, the most helpful thing a writer can hear is that a first draft is supposed to be rough.
Safe Spaces: Knowing they were in a room where they were "allowed" to have a bad draft helped Zonia focus on the heart of the story rather than the fear of perfection.
Sparkles of Belief: Zonia highlighted how the simple act of being supported by the Drama Club community provides the fuel to keep fighting in a challenging industry.
BLUDLINE: Refining the Rhythm
For Pete and Fermin, the reading was a celebration of vernacular and flow. The session provided a clear technical roadmap for their hip-hop-influenced project:
Expanding the Score: The feedback confirmed they could add more singing without losing the "hip-hop" edge.
Reclaiming Gems: The actors’ performances reminded the writers of scenes and characters they had previously cut that might actually deserve a second chance.
What’s Next?
The Drafts aren't just one-off events; they are catalysts. For these projects, the clock is now ticking toward some major milestones:
All four teams will be Writers-In-Residence at Drama Club Camp this summer, where they will spend a week at our 65-acre lakeside campus refining their work.
Charlie and Dylan are marinating in the feedback and preparing for another reading in July before a public presentation in the fall.
Fermin and Pete recently won the Richard Rodgers award and are currently working on that presentation.
And the work persists!
A massive thank you to the actors and the writers for trusting us with their work. Writing is a lonely business—until the room lights up. Congratulations to all involved. We hope this program proves to be an accelerator to the development of these shows!
