Explore how Graham School playwriting instructor Douglas Post combines decades of professional experience with a passion for teaching, inspiring students to gain confidence, refine their writing, and bring their stories to the stage.
When Lisa Sheretz first enrolled in Douglas Post‘s playwriting course at the University of Chicago Graham School, she was looking to strengthen her craft. Since then, she has continued to develop her work, including a one-act play that was selected for a staged reading at the Bruka Theatre New Works Festival.
The play, PACKED, began in Douglas Post’s classroom and continued to evolve after the course ended. Reflecting on the experience of seeing actors bring her work to life, Lisa said, “It was all very encouraging and a great experience. It is so amazing when actors take the characters as seriously, if not more, than the writer does.”
Lisa’s experience reflects what many students discover in Douglas Post’s Writer’s Studio courses: expert guidance, thoughtful mentorship, and a creative community that encourages writers to continue developing their work long after the class concludes.
An internationally produced playwright, screenwriter, and educator, Douglas Post brings decades of professional experience into each of his courses. While his work has been recognized with awards and produced around the world, his impact can also be seen in the writers he helps develop and the stories they carry beyond the classroom.
“”Writing for the theater is a solitary line of work until it is suddenly collaborative. In my playwriting courses, I encourage my students to develop their individual voices while getting their scripts ready for directors, designers, actors and other theater artists. It always gives me great pleasure when my people have their plays staged in the wide world,” says Douglas Post.
That impact extends to students like Betsy Dudak, whose work has been recognized by both Chicago Dramatists and Chicago Playground after taking multiple playwriting courses with Douglas Post. Reflecting on her experience, Betsy wrote, “His classes made me fairly successful at the 10-minute play… I am gaining more confidence in my writing, and Douglas Post has helped so much. I hope for the same success with the one-act, and perhaps soon, dare I say, a full-length.”
Graham School courses are designed to do more than introduce students to a subject. They invite students to pursue lifelong passions, explore new creative possibilities, and develop skills that can shape the next chapter of their lives. In his courses, Douglas Post creates an environment where students are encouraged to take creative risks and grow as artists. For many, that growth continues long after the course ends.
“Stories like Lisa’s and Betsy’s are a testament to what makes Graham’s instructors exceptional,” says Zoë Eisenman, Director of Academics and Basic Program Instructor. “They are accomplished professionals who don’t simply share their expertise—they invest in their students’ growth and inspire them to continue pursuing their goals long after the final class session.”
Douglas’s workshops blend the fundamentals of dramatic writing with mentorship, challenging students to strengthen their craft while developing the confidence to share their work with the world. They leave with a clearer sense of their voice, the skills to continue honing their craft, and the confidence to keep telling stories long after the course has ended.
Continue the Journey This Autumn
Whether you’re interested in writing your first play or exploring some of the greatest mysteries ever written for the stage, Douglas Post is leading two courses this autumn.
Introduction to Playwriting is an online workshop designed for aspiring playwrights and storytellers. Through writing exercises, discussion, and instructor feedback, students learn the essentials of dramatic structure, dialogue, character development, and scene writing while developing an original play of their own.
For lovers of theater and literature, Eight Great Mysteries for the Stage explores eight masterfully crafted mystery plays, examining how playwrights use suspense, character, and dramatic tension to captivate audiences. Through close reading and lively discussion, students gain a deeper appreciation for one of theater’s most enduring genres.
Whether your goal is to write the next great play, sharpen your storytelling skills, or simply experience theater from a new perspective, Douglas Post’s courses offer the opportunity to learn from an accomplished playwright whose greatest achievement may be inspiring the next generation of writers.
