3rd Annual Montana Writers Rodeo

The Montana Playwrights Network (MPN) hosts its annual conference:

3rd Montana Writers Rodeo 

May 9 & 10, 2025 

Calling All Authors – Submit Today!

On Friday, May 9 and Saturday, May 10 at 7:00 p.m., facilitated by Angela Breidenbach, there will be live readings of submitted materials by registered writers attending the conference.  Writers may submit sections of a play, novel, screenplay, fiction and non-fiction work.  For complete submission guidelines and eligibility, go to www.montanaplaywrights.org. 

Submission Deadline for the Author Readings: April 5, 2025

Conference Information

Hosted by MPN President, Pamela Mencher and MPN Treasurer, Pearl Allen and directed by Mindy Peltier, the third Montana Writers Rodeo will take place at the Helena Avenue Theatre at 1319 Helena Avenue in Helena, Montana. This engaging conference will encourage and educate writers of all genres from across the state to gather for story education, author readings, and networking. Go to www.montanaplaywrights.org for complete conference schedule.

Conference Workshops & Presenters

• Keynote Speaker, Author, Educator, Kathy Dunnehoff

Workshop 1: Plan To Have Your Best Writing Year Ever!

Writing can be a lonely endeavor, like wandering in the wilderness with a pencil and a good idea. A writing plan is the map needed to chart your course and get it done! With four do-able steps any writer can Choose What Matters, Learn How You Write, Be Realistic About Your Year, and Evaluate & Adjust. Whether you’re just getting started or are a seasoned writer, producing can sometimes be a struggle. Let’s struggle less, produce more, and have a great year of writing ahead.

Dunnehoff Bio: Kathy Dunnehoff was a poet with an M.F.A. from the University of Montana, then published four women’s fiction novels, including the bestseller The Do-Over. Several of her screenplays placed in competitions, and her first stage play was produced in February at the HAT!  For thirty-plus years, she’s taught creative writing at Flathead Valley Community College.  She presents at writers’ conferences and monthly lectures on craft for the Authors of the Flathead.  The first of her Hello, Writer! creative writing guides, Plan to Have Your Best Writing Year Ever, published in 2024. Kathy and her husband have raised two amazing daughters and are happy to call the Flathead Valley home.

• Playwright, Producer, Educator, Shaun Gant

Workshop 2: Plot and Personality: How Character Drives Action

Characters' desires and actions drive the plot of any compelling script. Without decisive characters, writers get stuck in clichéland, constructing a tired morality play we've heard before. This workshop explores how to create personalities and decisive moments that make your story fresh.

Gant Bio: Shaun Gant teaches and writes and produces readings, plays and festivals through her non-profit Third Ear Productions. She regularly collaborates with visual artists, musicians, and other writers. Shaun's plays have appeared in many Montana venues and her poems published in Personna, South Dakota Review, Nimrod International, Cutbank, Newtopia Magazine, Poems Across the Big Sky I and II, Concrete Wolf, Gumball Poetry, among others. See her work and events at https://workingpoet.com.

• Author, Educator, Jess E. Owen

Workshop 3: Unlock the Power of Your Story’s Setting

Don't let your setting fade into the background! It defines your characters and story and should be an integral part of your plotting. In this workshop, Jess will cover how to design your setting with intention, how much and when to describe, and why this effort can inspire and elevate your work.

Owen Bio: Jess Owen writes for teens in contemporary and fantasy genres. She’s published multiple novels through self- published and traditional avenues—agent, book deal, the works! Her short stories have appeared in Cricket Magazine and various online rags, she teaches workshops for local young and adult writers, and presents at the Authors of the Flathead meetings and annual conference. Readers have praised her work for its immersive and evocative settings. Jess strives to paint each story world with a detailed and vivid brush, creating places readers can truly believe in—and she is excited to share techniques with you!

• Author, Filmmaker, Educator, Karl Swingle

Workshop 4: The Three Part Nature of Film Structure

Elia Kazan said, “A script is more architecture that literature.” This presentation will give an overview of the standard three- act structure paradigm, break the acts down into smaller workable components, and demonstrate how those components can work together to help writers tailor their ideas into an effective story that translates to screen.

Swingle Bio: Karl Swingle is a filmmaker, teacher, and screenwriter from Bozeman. He has worked professionally in film for 25 years. Karl holds a BA in Media and Theatre Arts from MSU and an MFA in Directing and Screenwriting from Columbia University. Karl's current project is a documentary about the Battle of Camp Poplar River, January 2nd, 1881, near present- day Poplar, Montana.

Montana Writers Rodeo Admission Prices

$95: Conference Pass: Provides complete access to all conference events.

$45: Student Conference Pass (with current student ID). Provides complete access to all conference events. 

$60: One Day Pass: Provides complete access to all conference events on May 9 OR May 10.

$30: Student One Day Pass (with current student ID): Provides complete access to all conference events on May 9 OR May 10.

$20: One Evening Pass: (May 9: Reception, Welcome, Keynote Address + Readings) OR (May 10: Panel Discussion + Readings).

$35: Dual Evening Pass for both Evening Events + Readings: May 9 & 10.

Meet the Sponsor of the 3rd annual MPN Montana Writers Rodeo: 

Gates of the Mountains, Inc.

Gates of the Mountains, Inc. operates a marina and boat tours on the Missouri River 20 miles north of Helena. The organization’s goal is to protect, educate, and allow visitors to explore one of the last best places in Montana. Their guided boat tours host approximately 30,000 visitors a year to explore what Meriwether Lewis saw over 200 years before. For information and tour schedules, call (406) 458-5241 or visit their website at gatesofthemountains.com.

Montana Playwrights Network (MPN) & Helena Avenue Theatre (HAT):

A 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization incorporated in Montana in 2016, Montana Playwrights Network (MPN) was formed to provide a forum focusing on Story as expressed through playwriting, storytelling, poetry, history, non-fiction, essays, etc. MPN connects with writers, storytellers, teachers, performers, theatre companies, libraries and businesses interested in storytelling to build communities across Montana. The Helena Avenue Theatre (HAT), home to MPN, is available to individuals, businesses, and organizations to present their own performances, recitals, and other special events.  Visit their website: www.montanaplaywrights.org.