Hey what’s up everyone, and thank you for your interest in this experiment.
I will describe this study to you below, and happy to answer any of your questions, concerns, or feedback at ahplaywritingexperiment (at) gmail dot com. Don’t hesitate to reach out and hit me up :)
This study is being led by me, Aaron Higareda.
This study is being supported and funded by you, the audience.
(If you do not have any funds, don’t even trip, no one turned away for lack of funds, subscribe for free or just hit me up at ahplaywritingexperiment (at) gmail dot com if you want more content. )
What the study is about:
The purpose of this research is to determine if a 21st century southern Californian playwright can financially support himself and his family and self sustain his theatre practice solely by creating and utilizing the Substack platform, therefore not relying on the failing regional theatre industrial complex, nor the antiquated not for profit theatre model.
As of 1/22/2024, this study is scheduled to conclude on 10/22/2030, six years and ten months from now for my 40th birthday. At that time, I will reassess this experiment and my findings, and hope to create a model or template for other playwrights to follow and use.
What is asked of you:
I will ask you for your honest feedback, active participation, and willingness to value a playwright’s financial independence and self-determination to produce their own plays.
Participating in this study to pay a playwright directly, thus circumventing the regional theatre industrial complex and the not for profit theatre model all-together may cause discomfort, nausea, and in the perfect conditions: infection.
Social and economic risks may include awkward conversations around salary and pay equity for playwrights compared to artistic and executive directors at opening night parties and theatre conventions, and the possibility of losing comp tickets.
Lastly, the emotional risks include a feeling of alienation.
Benefits:
A feeling or sense of pride that your participation contributes directly to supporting a playwright toward financial independence so he can focus on craft and writing the most courageous, honest, and dopest plays he can.
In addition, information from this experiment may benefit other playwrights now or in the future, as well as an alternative model for the American theatre.
Inspired by Nipsey Hussle’s proud 2 pay concept and applying it to the theatre and playwriting.
Incentives for participation:
Your participation will grant you monthly access to my playwriting process for the next six years and ten months, as well as invitations to exclusive stage readings of my works in progress where your feedback is invaluable.
Additionally, your participation will get you subscribed to receive my theatre reviews/reflections on local southern California theatre productions, dramaturgical presentations on the classics, and other creative writings, projects and workshops.
Privacy/Confidentiality/Data Security:
Please note that email communication is neither private nor secure. Though I am taking precautions to protect your privacy, you should be aware that information sent through e-mail could be read by a third party. (But we all knew that already, I explore the surveillance state in my play You don’t even speak Spanish!)
Your information or biospecimens might be used for future research with obtaining your consent (If you are still reading this consent from, thank you, and I’m joking about the biospecimens part).
Taking part is voluntary:
Your involvement in this experiment is voluntary, and you may refuse to participate before the study begins and discontinue at any time, with no penalty and no worries.
Statement of Consent:
I have read the above information, and have received answers to any questions I asked. I consent to take part in “Aaron Higareda’s Playwriting Experiment” by typing my first and last name into the comments section.
