BYOP
What is BYOP?
BYOP (or, Bring Your Own Play) is a writing group for playwrights and other theatermakers in the Oklahoma City area!
We reached out to other writers and theatre artists in late 2023 and created our first BYOP cohort of 12. Each month, we gathered—and continue to gather—to discuss one new play-in-progress, written by one of our Oklahoma writers. In the two years that BYOP has been active, we have worked with 16 artists to develop 15 complete plays—and that doesn’t even count the seven ten-minute plays and excerpts we’ve also helped start out!
In addition to offering space and feedback for new scripts from new (and less-new!) playwrights, a handful of BYOP scripts are selected each year to be considered in our staged reading series.
What do our playwrights think?
“BYOP has been a vital resource for me as a playwright. The monthly writing group with the cohort engages my creative muscles and leaves me inspired to make better work. Whatever Works is elevating the art of playwriting and building writer talent in Oklahoma City.”
Caitlin B.
BYOP Member (2025, 2026)
“BYOP has been a valuable tool for helping me sharpen my voice as a writer. However, more importantly, it’s just incredibly fun to get together with like-minded creatives to play pretend.”
Taylor G.
BYOP Member (2026)
“I was honored to have two of my works performed live before an audience as part of Whatever Works’ reading series. These events, alongside Bring Your Own Play (familiarly BYOP), offer writers an essential element to the craft of making scripts – an audience, often the very first. Moreover, the members of this group offer crucial perspectives and feedback that can make the difference between a good play and a great one, all delivered in a constructive and positive environment. I feel lucky to be a part of BYOP and I look forward to it every month.”
Chris S.
BYOP Member (2025, 2026)
“Whatever Works and their monthly BYOPs have allowed me not only to connect with a community of other local artists and writers with the shared goal of cultivating new work, but has also allowed me to develop my own writing and my approach to it. When I worked with the Whatever Works team to develop my play Suburban Supernova for a staged reading; I had never been a part of such a collaborative, positive and uplifting creative environment focused on championing stories that had not yet been told by people who had not yet been given the chance to tell them. Whatever Works is truly a special gem in the world of local theatre!”
Ian W.
BYOP Member (2025, 2026)
Want to know more?
If you’re interested in learning more about BYOP, our writers, our process, or anything else, please feel free to contact us!
Whatever Works 