The Frank Silvera Writers' Workshop

09/26/2026

Now enrolling: What Makes a Good Play: Write Plays That Get Produced, with Dr. Vera J. Katz.

For 32 years, Dr. Katz taught acting and directing at Howard University. Her former students include Phylicia Rashad, Chadwick Boseman, Taraji P. Henson and Debbie Allen. This fall she’s teaching something new: six live sessions on what makes a play work.

She’ll take selected plays apart (how structure carries tension, how character drives the action, why an ending lands), then turn the same lens on students’ own work. No script required.

Sundays, 3–5 PM ET / 12–2 PM PT
Oct 11 · Nov 8 · Nov 22 · Nov 29 · Dec 6 · Dec 13
Live on Zoom, every session recorded
12 seats. Early-bird $395 through Monday, Oct 5; $500 after.

Enroll here: https://fswwonline.newzenler.com/courses/what-makes-a-good-play/buy

09/19/2026

Get ready! The The Frank Silvera Writers' Workshop joins forces with Billie Holiday Theatre, Inc. to present series of comedic play Readings, culminating in a live presentation for 2027.

Read all about it!

The Billie Holiday Theatre has revealed its 2026-27 season, with programming featuring Lynn Nottage, Lillias White, Adriane Lenox, Marcus Paul James…

06/21/2026

Never forgotten!

06/19/2026

Happy Juneteenth!

02/18/2026

FSWW presents:

When the Fence Falls Watch Party

When: Sunday - February 22, 2026
5:00 pm EST/4:00 pm CST/2:00 pm PST
Live on Zoom!

In the aftermath of Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination, a group of friends plans a daring act of vengeance.

Tickets: $10.00
Register www.thefsww.org

02/18/2026

From the FSWW Online Academy:
The Self Tape Conversion Code: From Tape to Callback

March 9 - April 13, 2026

Led by Xavier Mikal, Actor/Coach
A practical course supports performers in creating clear, professional self-tapes that allow the work to come through confidently and consistently.

$600

Register: https://www.fswwonline.com

01/30/2026

Paying tribute to Woodie King, Jr. 🕊️

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1C1RgE9EzF/

01/15/2026

VERA KATZ RETURNS TO FSWW
Holiday Sale Extended

Register now for the Frank Silvera Writers' Workshop online Educational courses for theater artists. Offerings include:

What Makes a Good Play 2.0 - How to Analyze a Play
by Professor Vera Katz

and

The Self Tape Conversation Code: From Tape to Callback
by Xavier Mikal

Offered live and online for busy arts professionals, courses begin Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday weekend, so register today.

For more information, visit FSWW onlline.

https://www.zoomcatchers.us/post/extended-holiday-sale-on-fsww-online-classes-register-now

12/21/2025

Excited to be a guest tonight 10pm on Khdc FM with Eme7 aka Ricardo García! Tune in or catch the stream @ Saturdayfirst.com

11/19/2025

🎬 New: Self-Tape Reel Mastery — 6 live sessions starting December 6
Stop planning to make a reel “someday.” Actually make one.
Learn from Xavier Mikal:
→ Working actor (SHIRLEY on Netflix, THE PACT on YouTube)
→ MFA professor
→ Teaches at Trilith Studios (where Marvel films)
6 sessions over 8 weeks with a strategic holiday break built in. Finished reel by January 24—ready for pilot season.
12 spots. $600 early bird pricing (ends Nov 30).
Link in bio. DM me with questions.