Why Join ALAP?

We're often asked, "Why should I pay dues to become a member of ALAP?" After all, many of our events and programs are open to everyone, and a number of them are presented free of charge. Why join?

Well, there are myriad benefits to membership in ALAP, the first of which is a series of opportunities to develop and showcase your work (and yourself!), which are only available to current members.

First among these is the New Works Lab, a bi-monthly program in which a local theatre company (we rotate among some of the best groups in the area) does a non-public table reading and moderated discussion of a script, helping members develop their plays in a safe environment, while at the same time introducing them to groups with an interest in new writing.

For a number of years, ALAP, with a grant from the City of West Hollywood, has sponsored the Pride Reading Festival, which presents rehearsed readings of one LGBTQ-themed full-length and up to six short plays, during Gay Pride Month in June. Not only do selected member playwrights get their plays read, but they even get paid for the privilege (up to $250 for the full-length play).

Members can also submit short plays to the Annual Reading Festival, rehearsed public readings that are part of our fall event, and they can participate in In Our Own Voices, a reading series that has taken place for nearly two decades at bookstores and other libraries. Recently, ALAP renewed its program of presenting readings of plays through the Los Angeles Public Library.  Please read submission instructions for opportunities for your work to be considered for readings at various branch libraries of members' short plays. In addition, members can hone their work with a group of dedicated actors through The Playwright's Playpen, and introduce themselves to directors and producers looking for new work through the Exchange, an annual meet-and-greet that has led to productions, commissions, and readings.

ALAP presents a number of events throughout the year, ranging from professional symposiums (for example, "How to Get Your Play Published" or a panel we held with the literary managers of Center Theatre Group, La Jolla Playhouse and others) to purely social events such as the Summer Picnic and Spring Cocktail Party. We also host an almost-monthly gathering called the Happy Hour (formerly called the Salo(o)n), which is small and informal, and generally held in a member's home or virtually. While all such events are open to both members and non-members, members get a discount on those which have admission charges such as the Picnic.

Perhaps even more important, though, ALAP's website includes a Script Catalogue, where members list their plays available to theatres and producers around the world, and which has already led to a number of productions and queries; you can also upload a production photo, and whenever someone logs in to the site, one of the production photos randomly comes up promoting the "ALAP Featured Play." Being able to list plays in the Script Catalogue may explain why ALAP now has members in over a dozen states and the District of Columbia.

The public part of the site also features "Meet Our Members," where members post their credits and a photo; Sample Contracts which can serve as templates for production contracts and agreements for readings; and links to the current NewsFlash and a listing of upcoming ALAP events.

The Members Only area of the site includes the ALAP Resource Guide to LA Theatre, which lists more than 300 SoCal theatres, producers, and playwrights' groups (it's currently being updated); the ALAP Actor Database, with photos and resumes of actors who have indicated interest in being considered for readings and productions of new work; the ALAP Director Database, with resumes and statements by directors interested in helming new works; and the ALAP Support Worker Database, where those looking to assist our members with office work, research or other support tasks can place their resumes and statements.

And if all that's not enough, the Members Only email list alerts members to discounted or free tickets to shows, writing workshops and other events, as well as submission opportunities from theatres and festivals. Members may also publicize their upcoming productions and readings through our email list (not just to members), as well as our Facebook page.

Above all else, though, membership in ALAP makes one part of the playwriting community in Southern California (and beyond), which not only gives you the opportunity to meet and network with people who do what you do, but also gives ALL of us playwrights a greater voice in assuring that our rights are preserved and kept strong and inviolable.