Script Doctor for TV/ Film and Playwright
Testimonials
"You've got a gift."
---Reg E. Gaines, Author/Lyricist, Tony Award-Winner
"Sarah Congress is a wonderful teacher. She's supportive, intuitive, knowledgeable about writing and the landscape of theatre, film and TV. She asks the right questions, gives great notes and the sessions are enjoyable and productive. If you want to take your writing to the next level I can't think of a better coach/script doctor. The sessions fly by but the lessons you learn endure. She's great."
--- Jeff Perlman, Playwright & Non-profit CEO
"Working with Sarah on my first one-act play has been such an insightful experience! I have learned so much about crafting characters, forming intentional dialogue, and other writing skills!"
---Eva Smedley, Acting Student, Carnegie Mellon University
"The structure was approachable and broke down any real or perceived barriers about how easy it is to get the funny on the page. I really appreciated that."
---Matthew Eddy, Creative Writer
"Writer's block is real! Sarah helped me get out of my own way. Through our relaxing conversations and visualization exercises, I was able to get out of my head. She's extremely positive and encouraging. We collaborated on my film script. She provided concise feedback and was able to punch up my script with her humor and poise, and bring it to the next level. As a result, my short film has been selected as a finalist in a film festival! I'm so grateful for Sarah's help. You can't go wrong trusting in Sarah!"
---Caryn Whitman, CPA, CEO & President of Vasana Ventures
"I loved it! It kept me on my toes, emotionally engaged - and constantly amused. Sarah has a gift for extremely original dark humor, complex but relatable character, and profound subtext. The ending hit me hard - and made perfect sense."
---Anna Theresa Cascio, Daytime Emmy Award-Winning associate head writer & playwright, on "Delulu"
"Curfew is a fabulous piece - the improbable but irresistible hope of youth!"
---Don Frantz, President of Town Square Productions, Ukraine & veteran of the Walt Disney Company
"Writing a play was always a dream but as a fiction writer and journalist, I couldn’t figure out how to make it work. In just a few sessions, I’ve experienced several “a-ha” moments with Sarah. I always leave my time with her excited by my project and its potential. The skills I've learned have made me a better writer all around. I don’t think I would have ever written a play without her input."
---Leah Eichler, award-winning short story writer and publisher of Esoterica magazine
"Sarah is a wonderful coach and mentor. She is tough and challenging and fun and really pushes me as a writer into places I didn’t know I was able to go. I have learned so much working with Sarah, not just as a writer, but also as a teacher, as I transition from novelist to playwright. I could not give a higher recommendation working with her. But I assure you, if I could, I would."
---Jon Papernick, Novelist and Assistant Professor at Emerson College
"I had a breakthrough in my playwriting after working with Sarah. Her coaching made me realize I had the bad habit of undermining the power of my words.. I saw that after she pointed out one line in my play BIG FAT BABY IN HIS MOTHER'S ARMS which I went on to rewrite immediately and submitted for a serious Playwrights Fellowship. Just yesterday I heard from the UCROSS Foundation that I am the Alternate Fellow in the event one of the winners cannot attend in Spring 2025. I am honored to be acknowledged for the Fellowship and thank Sarah for her important coaching. Sarah will have you grow as a playwright/screenwriter in front of her eyes."
---Tino Juarez, Playwright
"My biggest takeaway from last night is that anything can be made funny. That really dovetails beautifully with my deep gratitude for a healthy sense of humor, even in the darkest moments…."
---Gay Norton Edelman, Author/Editor
"I'm writing a play, and Sarah is helping me 1) get it finished, and 2) turn it into something I'm proud to claim. And Sarah is terrific to work with--I look forward to our chats."
---Elizabeth Connor, Writer & Editor