The Play Class is a devised theater project—a collaborative class involving improvisation, experimental writing, and performance exercises, culminating in an original play. Devised theatre suggests that traditional theater roles—playwright, director, dramaturg, stage manager, set designer, actor, etc.—are divided amongst the group, not necessarily designated to one individual. That being said, these roles may be assigned naturally as the class progresses, depending on the students' interests. The structure is partially inspired by a youth program, Youth Experimental Performance Collective, which focuses on the exploration rather than comprehension of language, searching for connection in a collective un/subconscious. We are not theatre professionals (though you are welcome here). Each class will include performance and writing exercises where we will look for connections, contradictions, and elements we feel compelled to explore collaboratively. We will also discuss artists and concepts that are relevant to devised/experimental theatre with slideshows and in-class readings. This will include introductions to both established and early/mid career performance artists and playwrights. A shorter intensive of The Play Class ran independently in June 2025, with a performance of the original play "By The Summer" on June 22, 2025 at The Design Theater in Richmond, VA.