About RefrAction Lab: 

RefrAction Lab is a playwriting lab for emerging Chicago playwrights interested in developing plays by way of a specific point of entry as the writer. We’re asking: how can a playwright turn a question into the action of a play? 

Playwrights will generate questions that look at divisive social and interpersonal issues from multiple sides. Over the course of eight months of monthly and bi-monthly meetings with a cohort of fellow playwrights and the Refracted artistic team, playwrights will:

  • curate these questions, 

  • research the “two sides” of the story, identifying prevailing biases on all sides of the issue

  • use this research to create characters and plot

  • generate and workshop pages of their script 

  • and ultimately, present their work at a RefrAction Lab showcase

The goal of this program is to support playwrights in creating a strong first draft of a full-length play (with the option of that being a one act play) generated from scratch by the final RefrAction Lab meeting in February 2023. 

Each playwright will be supported with:

  • A $400 playwright stipend 

  • Monthly and bi-monthly playwright cohort meetings 

  • The ongoing support and guidance of Refracted’s artistic team

  • 15 hours of rehearsal over two weeks of a 30 minute section of their developed work, including actors and a director chosen by the playwright (all collaborators will be paid with a small stipend)

  • A RefrAction Showcase of a 30 minute section of their developed play for an audience in December 2022

  • An optional final meeting in February 2023 to review final drafts or any rewrites based on any showcase feedback

  • The opportunity to have developed work considered for a proper commission by Refracted’s artistic leadership for a full production in a future Refracted season