Praise for Pataphysics Workshops

“I began writing a brand new full-length, VACUUM, at the ‘Pataphysics retreat with Erik [Ehn] in 2008. The first fifty pages or so were workshopped and read at EST Octoberfest, 2008, directed by Billy Carden and a third draft was presented for their Octoberfest series in 2009. VACUUM was chosen for the 2009 Autumn Artists’ Lodge at HERE and I produced a workshop presentation with my company, directed by Eric Nightengale. VACUUM was a finalist for the 2010 New Harmony Project and is currently a semi-finalist for the O’Neill. It also received a developmental one-day workshop at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park last month, with their intern company, directed by Mark Lutwak.” —Arlene Hutton

“In the first two minutes of taking a workshop with Mac Wellman, I knew I was in the presence of a revolutionary, and I don’t mean to use that label lightly but as an apt description of someone who demands theatre that will open up to its many possibilities rather to continue to suffer under rigid regional theatre rules. It makes for an incredibly charged atmosphere to work in, one where I felt I could begin to see and work within an open landscape rather than being scolded for not adhering to some outdated and corny ideas of what a play should BE. Plus, it was a lot of fun.” —Deron Bos

“I’ve heard several people mention that the ‘Pataphysics workshops are “the place to go” if you want a playwriting workshop. The Flea seems to recognize the importance of the exchange of ideas and experiences between young, or not yet fully “established” writers. I’ve learned so much from the other participants’ work and responses and formed important new relationships. I’ve now taken workshops with Erik Ehn and Mac Wellman, and have found them both to be extraordinarily generous about sharing their experiences as active readers, writers, people. And they’ve planted in my brain a new vocabulary in which to talk about plays, and sent me off wanting to become more active myself.” —Kate Ryan

“Pataphysics is quite simply the best class I’ve ever taught. Why? Because everyone in the room knows why they’re there and comes highly motivated. That cuts through the bull. It lets us work as peers.” —Jeffrey M. Jones

“I took the Jeff Jones and the Mac Wellman workshops at the Flea this year. Both of them offered unique exercises and tools for approaching theater writing. These really are the best workshops I’ve found in New York for playwriting because they genuinely inspired me to continue writing. Both teachers somehow managed to address the specific constraints of dramatic writing while, at the same time, opening up all the unexplored possibilities for new work.” —Anne Marie Healy

“I wrote a play during the weekend retreat and I was invited to the Sundance Institute Writing Lab to work on the play this February. I plan to have a reading of it this June with the Labrynth Company.” —Winter Miller