Vanessa Stewart graces this episode of Playwright's Spotlight. Taking a biopic musical approach to her playwriting, Vanessa features historical figures in most of her pieces, delving into depths of research and focusing on the minute nuances of their lives, starting off with the jazz couple Louis and Keely, and silent film legend Buster Keaton. In our discussion, her writing compulsion and choice of taking the musical route with these characters. We talk about how she sifts through information and, in turn, what to include, being an economic writer, expressing action vs projecting intent, how to write for specific actors, and the use of zodiac signs for character description. In addition, she shares three important rules for dialogue, assets and flaws of characters, specificity in humor, relenting to creative changes and fighting for important moments as well as what makes a good story  It amazes me how much I learn from every episode of Playwright's Spotlight, and this one is no exception. I hope you enjoy it and discover as much insight as I did. Enjoy. Vanessa Stewart is an actress, producer and playwright.  She co-wrote Louis and Keely: Live at the Sahara  with Jake Broder for Sacred Fools Theatre. In 2012, she wrote Stoneface for Sacred Fools winning the 2013 LA Weekly award for best production, and in 2019, her original musical about serial killer HH Holmes entitled Deadly with composer Ryan Johnson, premiered at Sacred Fools and later moving to Webster Conservatory for further development but premiered with a new revision online in December 2020 due to Covid restrictions on live performances. To view the video format of this episode, visit the link below - https://youtu.be/tE_PezA-QvA Links to sites and resources mentioned in this episode - Sacred Fools Theatre - http://sacredfools.org Webster Conservatory - https://www.webster.edu/conservatory/index.php The Matrix Theatre Company - http://www.matrixtheatre.com Playwright's Bill of Rights - https://www.dramatistsguild.com/rights Contact Information and Socials for Vanessa Stewart - Website - www.storymillentertainment.com Twitter - @vcstewart IG - @vcstewart Websites and socials for James Elden, Punk Monkey Productions and Playwright's Spotlight Punk Monkey Productions - www.punkmonkeyproductions.com PLAY Noir - www.playnoir.com PLAY Noir Anthology – www.punkmonkeyproductions.com/contact.html James Elden - Twitter - @jameseldensauer IG - @alakardrake FB - fb.com/jameseldensauer Punk Monkey Productions and PLAY Noir -  Twitter - @punkmonkeyprods                   - @playnoirla  IG - @punkmonkeyprods        - @playnoir_la  FB - fb.com/playnoir         - fb.com/punkmonkeyproductions Playwright's Spotlight - Twitter - @wrightlightpod  IG - @playwrights_spotlight Playwriting services through Los Angeles Collegiate Playwrights Festival www.losangelescollegiateplaywrightsfestival.com/services.html Support the show