IPC News and Notes: July 17, 2025

Welcome to issue #8 of our occasional communication to keep you updated on IPC happenings. It ain’t fancy, but we promise to make it informative. THANK YOU, PLACES!

In this issue:

• Register for Upcoming Events: Scene Nights + Playwright Support Nights

• Join the Indiana Playwrights Circle

• Foundations of Playwriting Class

• Congrats, Andy!

• Follow us on Facebook

We’re getting the band back together, y’all! Thanks to everyone who came to our relaunch meetings last week. It was great to see so many friends, both new and returning.

Here’s what’s coming up. All are welcome. 

Scene Nights

IPC’s signature event, Scene Nights, returns! Writers: bring up to ten pages (1600 words) of a play-in-progress. Our fabulous actors will read it aloud and you’ll get feedback from our supportive community. 

When & Where: 3rd Wednesday of every month starting August 20. 7:00-9:30 PM Eastern on Zoom. Free for IPC members; $10 non-members. Sign up here.

Important notes: 

• The sign-up process has changed. Please register through the Indiana Writers Center (IWC) course catalog (linked above). 

• Seating is limited; advanced registration is required. 

• IPC members: log in FIRST to see the correct cost (free). 

• After you register:

  • Sarah from IWC will send you the zoom link

  • IPC will send you instructions for submitting pages a bit closer to the day-of

• Actors: yes, we’ll need you, too! Please stay tuned for more info about how to sign up.

New! Playwrights Support Group

Participate in a thoughtful conversation about your craft and explore your calling as playwrights in our new Playwrights Support Group. (Screenwriters welcome, too!)  Objectives include:

• Make commitments (and be accountable for) the next step in your process

• Get support and encouragement for that next step

• Talk about obstacles to progress and brainstorm solutions

• Talk about successes and share best practices

Each session will involve a brief craft tip or exercise designed to build community and stimulate creative imagining or learning about the craft.

When & Where: 1st Wednesday of every month starting August 6. 7:00-9:00 PM Eastern. In person at the Indianapolis Opera Center (4011 N. Pennsylvania St, Indianapolis 46205). Seating is limited; advanced registration is required. Free for IPC members; $10 nonmembers. Sign up here. [Important: IPC members: log in FIRST to see the correct cost (free)]. 

Membership

Become an IPC member for $100 or less and attend both Scene Nights and Playwrights Support Group for free! Here’s how it works: 

• IPC is a subgroup of our umbrella organization, the Indiana Writers Center (IWC). 

• If you’re already an IWC member, remember to log in first.

• If you were a paid IPC member before we went on hiatus and had unused time left on your membership, feel free to email Sarah Ginter, IWC Executive Director, at [email protected]. She’s happy to check to see whether she can extend your membership. (THANKS, SARAH!)

• Start at the IWC Be a Member page.

• Under “Indiana Playwrights Circle,” click Add to Cart $100

  • If you’re already an IWC member, use the code provided at checkout. The code allows you to upgrade your IWC membership to also include IPC membership for a $45 upgrade fee.

  • If you’re not already an IWC member, you’ve got a choice:

    • Choice A: Join IWC at any membership level, then add on the $45 IPC upgrade, as above. This is probably your cheapest option if you qualify for any of the discounted membership levels: students, teachers, seniors, librarians, and military servicepeople/veterans.

    • Choice B: Pay $100 for a standard IWC + IPC membership. This is the easiest/cheapest option if you qualify for the basic writer/reader membership level.

Playwriting Class

Want to learn how to write plays? Sign up to take Foundations of Playwriting class. Taught by IPC Founder Andy Black, this class reviews the fundamentals of narrative structure, with a focus on the creation of a ten-minute play. The principles will be applied to full-length works as well. Just click your magic ruby heels together and say: “there’s no place like a theatre.” Not just for beginning writers– more advanced playwrights are also welcome. (Email Andy with any questions: [email protected]). Every Thursday from July 24-August 28. 7:00-9:00 PM Eastern on Zoom.  Get more info and sign up here.

Andy’s Book Published

Speaking of our own Andy Black: his book, Signature Pedagogies for the Playwriting Classroom: Spotlight on Teaching the Novice Playwright, was just released by Bloomsbury. Congrats, Andy!

Follow IPC on Facebook + How to Email Us

This newsletter is occasional, but Facebook is eternal. Join our Facebook group! Post announcements. Ask theatre questions. Start provocative playwriting conversations.

Got questions? Feedback? Email us at [email protected]. We like getting email!