Hosted by award-winning playwright Lauren M. Gunderson (author of I and You, Silent Sky, The Book of Will and fifteen other published plays and musicals), How to Playwright is an exuberant long form discussion of the craft, creativity and joy of playwriting and theatre-making spanning the practical to the philosophical, the strategic to the aesthetic.
Each episode will unpack theatrical concepts, dramaturgical tools, and creative inspiration for those who wish to explore, appreciate, and create plays.
This is a podcast for lovers of theatre, creative writing, and storytelling.
Host [Host Name] interviews members of Fall of Freedom about Albert Camus's artistic worth and supporting each other during challenging times.
18 Sept 2026TRANSCRIPT
Thee List
Host Lauren Gunderson discusses the annual Most Produced Plays/Playwrights List, revealing its data, insights, and how to achieve recognition.
12 Sept 2026TRANSCRIPT
Dialogue!
Host Lauren discusses crafting compelling dialogue, exploring its various forms and powerful impact on storytelling.
9 Mar 2026
Explosive Midpoints!!
We discuss understanding, creating and perfecting the midpoints of our plays. Big stakes, big shifts, no turning back.
Intro music by Joriah Kwame!
29 Nov 2025
How to Begin
We talk about getting through the beginnings of your new play, how to start writing, getting through the first 30 pages, writers block, inspiration, and keeping things moving and interesting and vivacious.
19 Nov 2025
Season Opener! Q + A with Lauren
Welcome back for Season 2 of HOW TO PLAYWRIGHT. We start with a Q+A before the launch of full episodes coming soon.
Hosted by Lauren Gunderson
Theme song by the brilliant Joriah Kwamé.
13 May 2025
Behold the Body Theatric: Theatre, Theology and My Dad
A special guest - my dad, Rev. Dr. Gary Gunderson - joins the podcast to discuss the powerful truths of theatre, theology, activism, art, public health, hope and healing. The shared root of the words "theatre" and "theology" is the Greek word "theasthai" which mean "to behold," and we discuss how both of us have explored the ways our vocations behold the ultimate to inspire, empower, and unify. My dad discusses my work in the theatre and his work as a man of faith/politics/health - including his now iconic book and philosophy "Leading Causes of Life" and the work of academic Bastienne Kline. We talk Greek theatre, new plays, old religions, fresh activism, congregations of all kinds, and how we can and must stand up for the good in the world.
23 Feb 2025
Two Handers - Double Double
Lauren talks about writing two handers and how this efficient form of dramatic writing tests your craft and technique as a playwright, while also preparing you to hone the basic skills for all other dramatic writing.
3 Feb 2025
Theatre As Thought Experiment
This episode is my lecture "Theatre as Thought Experiment" as given at Southern Utah University in 2024 and discusses the intersection of science and theatre, dramatic structure and scientific method, and the "laboratory of life" that great theatre offers us all.
2 Dec 2024
Life Cycle of a New Play
We discuss the steps from First Draft to Opening Night and beyond in this episode all about a new play's journey through premiere to publishing and on and on. This one goes in the weeds a bit about what to expect in a rehearsal process, rewriting in production and what to do once you've had your premiere.
13 Oct 2024
Character as Contrast, Compliment, Battle
Let's talk about writing and developing and deepening characters in your plays. We explore main characters as well as side/supporting characters, and how the web of characters are kept taut through battle, contrast and compliment.
14 Sept 2024
Endings Beget Beginnings
Lauren discusses starting plays at their endings - climactic endings, denoument, flavors of endings and more.
29 Aug 2024
Muse of Fire: Shakespeare's Prologue Schools and Inspires
Lauren explores the "Muse of Fire" prologue from Shakespeare's HENRY V as a swift but inspiring lesson in theatre-making. Pro tips and beautiful poetry from William Shakespeare.
27 Aug 2024
Questions and Answers: Rewrites, Process, Career, Success!
Lauren answers listener questions and covers rewriting, editing, career beginnings, how to define success and more.
Hosted by Lauren M Gunderson
Music by Joriah Kwamé
16 Aug 2024
Scene Structure: Change, Roller Coasters and Fractals
We discuss scene writing through dramatic structure but at the scenic level. Macro-structure, micro-structure, Mandelbrot, and musicals help us unpack how to write successful scenes for your new play.
2 Aug 2024
Main Characters: Fervent, Urgent, Flawed
A discussion of how to create compelling, energetic main characters that can fuel a great play with fervent and urgent wants, needs, complexities, and antagonistic forces.
Hosted by Lauren M. Gunderson
Original intro music by Joriah Kwamé
30 Jul 2024
First Read: What We Learn From A Very First Reading
I take you with me before and after my favorite moment in any new play's life: the very first table reading of a never-before-heard new play. What do I listen for, what can writers learn from hearing it out loud for the first time, what good work comes out of this bountiful moment in development.
Let's discuss!
Thanks for listening!
Hosted by Lauren Gunderson
Original intro music by Joriah Kwamé
30 Jul 2024
Dramatic Structure: Beginning, Midpoint, Ending
We dive right into a simplified discussion of ye olde dramatic structure, covering the general concepts of beginning/midpoint/ending in playwriting. We talk dramatic structure as begin akin to the scientific method, and how plays are "thought experiments."
As usual I rant on "Hamlet," love stories, and architecture metaphors.
Enjoy! and thanks for listening.
Intro music by Joriah Kwamé.
30 Jul 2024
Prologue: Write or Wright?
Welcome! This is the first outing for "How To Playwright," in which I tell you a little of the why and the what of this podcast, as well as the "who is this for." To playwrite or playwright?
Host: Lauren M. Gunderson
Original theme music by the amazing Joriah Kwamé
Watch the original pandemic playwrighting sessions and interviews here: https://www.facebook.com/LaurenGundersonPlaywright/videos
Inside a recent episode
Fall of Freedom - Special
Published 1 Oct 2026 · Transcript excerpt
[…] Tyrants know there is in the work of art an emancipatory force which is mysterious only to those who do not revere it. Every great work makes the human face more admirable and richer. And this is its whole secret. And thousands of concentration camps and barred cells are not enough to hide this staggering testimony of dignity. Man's unbroken testimony as to his suffering and his mobility cannot be suspended. The act of breathing cannot be suspended. Whatever the works of the future may be, They will bear the same secret made up of courage and freedom, nourished by the daring of thousands of artists of all times and all nations. […]
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