Solo Show & Writing workshops
One thing that I am sure of is this: finding your artistic voice can change the world. I feel lucky to have worked with hundreds of writers and performers over the last 25 years. The people I’ve worked with have performed their solo shows or stories on small stages, large performance venues, at festivals and conferences here and abroad. Some were people who have never written or been on a stage while others were experienced, nationally recognized artists. In our classes people have had their books, articles, stories and essays published. They’ve had their plays produced, created podcasts, gave TEDX talks and performed onstage at Live-Lit storytelling events including The Moth Grand Slam.
CLASSES & WORKSHOPS:
Writing a Solo Show & Story for the Stage
Chicago Dramatists, July 15-Sept 2, 2025 New Class Sept 30
“The Writers Room” for mixed Genres. See below for a full description.
New cycle begins September 27. Reach out- soloshow.malinowski@gmail.com
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Goddess Rising Writing Sold Out
Story Jam Studio- Jan 26-May 2
INFO- Coaching Sessions & The Writers Room Workshop
I love being a supportive critical eye, your vision keeper and fan. I work in close collaboration and I am here to serve you and your work based on where you are in your process. I am a practicing teaching artist and I understand the aspects of the creative process from the germination of an idea, to its development and completion.
WORKING TOGETHER
My focus through this development process is to be a supportive critical eye, your vision keeper, and fan. I work in close collaboration and I am here to serve you and your work based on where you are in your process. You may have an idea that is gestating, a partial script, or a completed project.
I work at your pace. Want a one-on-one immersion? Want to meet regularly or just when your writing/life schedule allows? Want to work via Zoom, phone, or in person? Lots of options tailored to you. In-person sessions take place at my studio at 1825 W Summerdale Chicago, Illinois
There is no right way to work. Our sessions will depend on who you are as a writer or performer, where you are in your process, and what works for your particular project. I’ve had musicians sing in my studio. People improvise on Zoom. Still, others pitch ideas so I can ask questions and provide ideas and directions.
Investment- Private coaching sessions are $100.00 per “sloppy hour” but there is a sliding scale. I never want an artist to feel like we can’t work together because of money. Discounted packages are also an option. If there is a pre-read on a full script, it is $100.00. Packages are also available- 6 hours of sessions- $500. .Of course, I offer complimentary phone sessions to talk about your goals and see if we are a good fit.
“The Writers Room” Join the waitlist. New Cycle begins September 27 2025.
This is a small private class for writers in mixed genres; autobiographical material, essays, solo shows, plays, novels, podcasts and other creative projects. We meet every 3 to 4 weeks on Saturdays from 2:00-5:15 online and over a 6-month period to allow you time to develop your project. The workshop is supportive and life-affirming and is made up of crazy-talented artists. All levels are accepted. There’s a waitlist right now, but please drop me a line. I’d love to talk about your project.
I love working in collaboration. You talk. I talk. We both listen.
We explain. We laugh. We try something else.
We get confused, maybe frustrated. We try again.
We challenge. We question.
We hold our heads in our hands so they don’t explode.
We chew gum, Drink water & snack. We get up on our feet. We reread.
We listen some more.And then it happens,
we get to the place where we say, ’Yes, that’s it! That works
–Arlene
Workshops for Organizations, Groups and Conferences
Integrating story is important for delivering a powerful presentation or developing your “personal professional brand.” Through coaching and exercises, you will find the story and style that best serves you and your goals, whether you want to perform on a stage, give a presentation, speech, or just tell a good story at Thanksgiving dinner.
SOLO SHOWS TO READ & WATCH
My Fellow Artists.
Here is a list of solo shows to see online on various streaming platforms. Also sources for scripts. Remember, we learn just as much from the pieces that don’t resonate as from those that dazzle us. Watch them as both artist and audience. What do they do that you’d love to try? What would you do differently? Happy watching and reading. If you can’t find the solo show on a particular streaming channel- look for it on another channel, they usually hop around. If you have others to add- please do. Get the book SOLO: The Everything Guide to Writing, Perfoming and Producing your One-Person Show. Malinowski & Ganey. Northwestern University Press & AMAZON.
VANYA. With Andrew Scott. National Theatre at Home. (Brilliant. I paid the subscription for 1 month and saw a few great things. This Vanya? I finally understood the nuances of the play)
Latin History for Morons- John Leguizamo. Netflix
The Good Life or The Old Man in the Pool- Mike Birbiglia. Netflix
Just For Us- Alex Edelman. HBO-
ALSO Listen to the Podcast- Vulture “Good One” April 30 2025. Great material on how Alex developed his solo show.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-one-a-podcast-about-jokes/id1203393721?i=1000654040468
Accidentally Brave. Maggie Corman- HBO, HULU
Death of England- a series of monologues. National Theatre at Home. Listen for the difference between the vocabulary of each monologue.
My Favorite Shapes- HBO or Color Theory on Netflix. by Julio Torres- Avantgaurd.
The Unknown by David Cale, starring Sean Hayes. League of Livestream Theater's website for $29.
Christmas Carol 2024 Jefferson Mayes. Amazon Prime Video
Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill with Audra McDonald- broadwayhd.com
A Bronx Tale: One Man Show- Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV
Notes from the Field" by Anna Deavere Smith - HBO.
Ian McKellen on Stage- National Theatre Home
Hasan Minhaj: Homecoming King. Netflix
• Henry Clarke By David Cale. Audiobook. https://www.amazon.com/Harry-Clarke-Billy-Crudup-audiobook/dp/B075H1VLHX
• Why I love the Constitution- Heidi Scheck- Amazon Prime Video
• Nanette- Hannah Gadsby- Netflix
• Springsteen on Broadway- Netflix
• Remember This- Jan Karski. Clark Young & Derek Goldman. PBS & Paramount
• Death of England- a series of monologues- National Theatre
• Every Brilliant Thing- Duncan McMillian. HBO
• Nate- A One Man Show. Natalie Palamides- Netflix
• Thomas Pain with Rainn Wilson- Broadwayhd.com
• Domino Effect- Ali Siddiq https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=domino+effect+ali+siddiq&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:3ecdb9d4,vid:8j9NiWBWtTA,st:0
• In And Of Itself- Derek DelGaudio. Hulu
• Trump Card- Mike Dasey https://playbill.com/video/mike-daisey-trump-card
• John Mulaney Baby J- Netflix
• The Belle Of Amherst- Amazon Prime
• Bill Bradley: Rolling Along- HBO Max
• Chewing gum dreams- National Theatre at Home
• Older and Wider- Julia Sweeney. https://vimeopro.com/groundlings/julia-sweeney-older-and-wider/video/322183137
• A Christmas Carol- Patrick Stewart on Audiobook on Audible
• Rothaniel- Jerrod Carmichael. HBO Max
• Love Linda, The Wife of Cole Porter- Broadwayhd.com
• Unacceptable- Neal Brennan- Netflix
• Semper Fi- Showtime
• Twilight: Los Angeles- Anna Deavere Smith. Great Performances PBS or kpbs.org
• The Mystery of Charles Dickens- Broadway HD
• A People’s History. Mike Daisy. YouTube Full Show
• Methtacular- Steven Strafford. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ID28c_M-b8Y
• 700 Sunday. Billy Crystal- Hulu. Amazon, HBO
• Direct From Broadway- Whoopie Goldberg https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=whoopie+goldberg+direct+from+broadway&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:f459ba3a,vid:9RzZIV2_H6U,st:0
• Princess Fights Back- Victoria Montalbano http://www.victorianotvicky.com/
• Beyond Glory- Amazon
• Happy Birthday Doug- Broadwayhd.com
• Rose; Dame Maureen Lipman- Broadwayhd.com
• Colin Quinn: Unconstitutional- Netflix
• A Life- Gloria Steinem. Christine Lahtey. PBS
• Vagina Monologues performed by V. (Previously known as Eve Ensler) YouTube in 9 parts. Done by many other Groups too
• No Child- Nilaja Sun. PBS
• Terrors of Pleasure. Spaulding Gray- YouTube. Full Show
• Gray’s Anatomy/ Spaulding Gray- YouTube Full show.
• An Evening With Groucho-broadwayondemand.com
• Freak- John Leguizamo. YouTube Full Show. https://www.audible.com/pd/I-Am-My-Own-Wife-Audiobook/B08KHRTQ3Z
• Blood Type- Ragu-broadwayondemand.com
• Yes! Reflections of Molly Bloom- broadwayondemand.com
• Ann’s First Campaign. Taylor Holland— Great Performances PBS
• Bobby’s last Crusade- broadwayondemand.com
• Jackie Mason: The Ultimate Jew-broadwayondemand.com
• Psychic Radio Star-broadwayondemand.com
• Riot Act- broadwayondemand.com
• Martin’s Dream- broadwayondemand.com
• On Beckett- Bill Irwin- broadwayondemand.com
• Yes! Reflections of Molly Bloom- broadwayondemand.com
• Belfast Blues/ Geraldine Hughes- broadwayondemand.com
• Betty Davis Ain’t For Sissies- broadwayondemand.com
• Call Me Elizabeth-broadwayondemand.com
• Undisputed Truth- Mike Tyson. Hulu, HBO or Vudu
• Back to Broadway- Whoopie Goldberg. Audio soundtrack on Spotify.
• Scaramouche Jones or The Seven White Masks- Broadway HD
• Elaine Stritch at the Liberty. YouTube
• Belfast Blues/ Geraldine Hughes- broadwayondemand.com
• You’re Welcome America. Will Ferrell- HBO GO
• Wendy Hammers. Ripe. YouTube. Full show
• Wishful Drinking. Carrie Fisher. HBO
• And God Said Ha. Julia Sweeney. YouTube Audioplay
• Ann- The Ann Richards Play. Amazon Prime
• Laura Gunderson’s Natural Shocks- Full play on Soundcloud. https://soundcloud.com/lauren-gunderson-1/natural-shocks-a-one-woman-play-in-a-tornado-by-lauren-gunderson?dm_i=4WLJ,ABNU,49NO78,12S7B,1
• Baby Reindeer Limited Series. Based on a solo show. Listen to the voiceover, this is the narrator speaking directly to the audience. Then look at the scenes and how the dialog and situating us into a time and place adds to the story.
Full Script Online for Mike Daisey’s “The Agony and Ecstasy Of Steve Jobs” It’s in the Public Domain. Controversies not withstanding.
