On Writing : Air Love and Love by Claudia Hoag McGarry

Congratulations on writing and producing seven plays over the last seven years, Claudia Hoag McGarry!!!

Congratulations, very impressive.

That is so impressive! Congratulations!

Hi Claudia, I'm interested in your producing process, did you work with a theatre company and use their resources/actors of did you launch the project independently having to find everything yourself? Of the two - which do you recommend?

Hi all. I do not seem to answer these messages individually so I will do it here. I started off with an auto biographical story called Kiddo and Patty Hearst, a 70s story about the summer of 1974. I rented a local theater and did a professional reading. I knew nothing. I had never studied theater. But I had been writing. Anyway, it was a great success and went onto a few other theaters including off Broadway. But that fervor mellowed out and I tried some non fiction plays based on screenplays I had done. One was about Hallie Flanagan, another about Tina Modotti. Those were easy as well mainly because there are so many good actors non equity that are itching to act in any way. Again I rented theaters and advertised locally, put it in every online calendar and starting getting to know local journalists who do these type of stories. There is also radio which helps. For all of these shows I sold out the theater. The last three plays have been dramatic comedies because I wanted to learn how to write a rom com and because I felt with the politics and the pandemic people needed comedy. I have had bigger audiences and have rented larger theaters. The key is to break even and then build on a fan base from there. I turned to plays because my screenplays were not getting made after options and I wanted to do it myself. I have learned a lot of very particular things about what to pay for, what not to pay for, what theatres do to make money, etc. I am happy to converse with anyone. It has been very rewarding but a climb for sure. claudiahoagmcgarry@gmail.com

Thanks for sharing your journey/experience with us, Claudia Hoag McGarry. And congratulations on all of your success with your plays!

"The last three plays have been dramatic comedies because I wanted to learn how to write a rom com and because I felt with the politics and the pandemic people needed comedy." That's why Comedies and Feel-Good scripts are in demand right now.

You can reply directly to people by using the "@" symbol. If that doesn't work, you can use ** before and after a person's name. Like this: "Hello"

Claudia Hoag McGarry - wow!! what a way to jump in - I love your resourcefulness. It's good motivation to always keep going. :)

Congratulations. You rock.

Thanks! I have a screenwriting partner now and we have completed a new rom com called Dying To Meet You. I am going to give this genre anotger go.

Congratulations on getting a screenwriting partner and completing the Rom-Com, Claudia Hoag McGarry!

Thanks, Maurice. We actually started it three years ago and have been optioned and unoptioned already. I think it is a really good concept, so here's hoping.

Congratulations on the option then, Claudia Hoag McGarry! Hope it gets optioned again or sold from the get-go.