Writing Theatre in Response to the Climate Crisis

Sunday September 28, 2025 | 1:00pm – 4:00pm,

Free, Limited Capacity Register Below.

In this fun, interactive, hands-on workshop, you will write a short play in response to the climate crisis, by identifying issues that are essential to write about now, as well as exploring and expanding your sense of the possible. Playwriting has much to offer writers in other genres, such as developing your skills with dialogue, structure, story, vivid details and experimentation. Playwriting gives theatre artists unparalleled agency and an opportunity to identify the core of what they want to make work about.  

We will explore a variety of approaches to making plays that have relevance for communities and connection to the natural world. You will learn what a theatre action is, how to workshop your short play, and explore where to go next. If you are shy or bold, experienced or new to writing plays, you will be cared for and welcomed. This workshop is for anyone who has an interest in writing, and is curious about bringing an ecological lens to their writing. 

Elaine Ávila, a co-founder of Climate Change Theatre Action, is of Azorean Portuguese descent, born in Susquehannock/Piscataway territory (Maryland, U.S.A.), raised on Ohlone territory (California) and lives on the unceded lands of the Qayqayt (New Westminster, BC, Canada). A Fulbright Scholar, her plays have been produced from Panamá City to Portugal. Best New Play Awards: Festival de los Cocos, Victoria Critics Circle, Disquiet Literary Program in Lisbon. Elaine has taught in universities from Portugal to Tasmania, China to Panamá. She has served as the playwright in residence at Pomona College in Los Angeles, Quest University Canada, and Western Washington University; as the Endowed Chair and Head of the MFA Program in Dramatic Writing at the University of New Mexico; and founder of the LEAP Playwriting Program at the Arts Club Theater in Vancouver. The 2019 Fulbright Scholar to the University of the Azores, Elaine lives in New Westminster with her musician-teacher husband and her artist-activist son.