Classes at Chicago Dramatists

Chicago Dramatists offers one of the strongest and most dynamic playwriting education programs in the country open to any individual. Our classes are tailored to meet the needs and interests of writers at all levels and taught by working theatre professionals who are also expert teachers.

Upcoming Classes

Our small group, workshop classes offer the opportunity to learn from and gain ample feedback on your work from world class teachers. You’ll also benefit from critiquing peers’ work and hearing responses from their varying points-of-view. You’ll make friends and build your artistic community. Primarily offered on Zoom, our classes offer the ease of learning from home.

Private classes offer even more personal attention from the teacher and the flexibility to design a schedule that works for both of you.  While private classes follow the same curriculum as online classes, you may be able to tailor lessons and exercises to better fit your individual learning style. If you're interested in a private class, please email theatermanager@chicagodramatists.org.

When classes are filled, we offer a limited number of Class Passes, which provide access to our most popular classes. With a Class Pass, you attend weekly Zoom class sessions. You sit in on class lectures and discussion and can complete weekly homework assignments and in class writing exercises while observing readings and critiques. Class Passes are a great opportunity to learn from some of our most popular teachers and build structure into your writing schedule in a cost-effective way.

At the end of each quarter, Chicago Dramatists produces Best in Class, a showcase featuring some of the most accomplished work from all classes, read by professional actors.

Chicago Dramatists Tuition Policy

To ensure that Chicago Dramatists’ classes provide students ample interaction with teachers, sufficient in-class feedback and attention to their individual work, we limit our class size. Often, we must turn away students, particularly from our most popular classes. Our refund policy, therefore, focuses on ensuring there is adequate opportunity for students who wish to take our classes each quarter. 

Requests to cancel registration received more than ten days in advance of the class start date will be entitled to a full refund. Requests to cancel registration received after 10 days before the class start date will be entitled to a credit applied to your account for future CD classes. 

No refunds are given for students who withdraw after a class starts.

Classes that fail to meet the 60% minimum registrant requirement within 72 hours of class start time will be cancelled and registrants will receive a full refund.