Possible Clues:

• Wee drink at one starts to sustain this writer
• Writer admits art is dubious
• Little drink, at first, for writer
• Potter perhaps having tipple with painter right away
• Scene opening tragedy - the original produced by Aeschylus
• Drink at first for playwright
• Occupation associated with Tennessee
• Wordsmith shot, craftsman runs away
• Mad artist that might be Shakespeare?
• Serious play right at the end is first one that works for the players