How To Write A Play in 9 Steps - 2024 - MasterClass

How to Write a Play in 9 Steps - 2024 - MasterClass 28/04/2024 05:08
What Is Playwriting?
Playwriting is the art of crafting a dramatized narrative for a theater
production. Much like a screenwriter drafts screenplays for television and
film, playwrights compose playscripts for characters to perform live on
stage in front of an audience. Whether the artist chooses to write a full-
length play or a powerfully concise one-act piece, this type of dramatic
writing affords a great degree of creative freedom.
Whether your goal is to take your creative writing skills to Broadway or put
on a performance for friends and family, you can use the following steps
to pen your masterpiece:
1. Determine your story. Brainstorm a few ideas that translate to the

stage. Consider the message of your play, and invent a central conflict
that underscores what you want to say. Everything in your narrative will
happen live on stage, so keep production elements like space and special
effects in mind. If you have a complex or surreal concept, think of a
creative way to represent it physically. Read other plays by famous
dramatists, such as Shakespeare, Henrik Ibsen, Samuel Beckett, David
Mamet, Arthur Miller, and Tennessee Williams, to draw inspiration, set the
pacing, or even help determine the scope of your own world.
2. Determine the main character. Stage plays are largely character-
driven stories. Believable fictional characters are unique, relatable, and
three-dimensional. A character’s motivations inform their actions and
decisions, creating the narrative arc in the story. Identify the protagonist
(the main character) and their goals, traits, and backstory. Craft a
compelling antagonist to bring conflict to the main character or
supporting characters. Avoid tropes or clichés when crafting your main
characters, which can turn an audience off. Turn to classic archetypes to
invent characters who will bring the best (and worst) out of one another.
3. Outline your idea. Begin outlining your play by separating it into acts.
Common structures include the one-act play (which is very short), the
three-act play, or the five-act play. Write down the beginning, middle, and
end of your play, including major story beats and plot points surrounding
your main conflict. Separate your plot points into their respective acts,
following a pattern of rising action (leading up to the climax) and falling
action (leading up to the resolution). Keep your act breaks compelling to
maintain the audience’s interest. Include a subplot or two that helps to
develop your characters.
4. Input stage directions. Consider stage movement when drafting your
playscript. Include stage directions (such as entering and exiting the
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How to Write a Play in 9 Steps - 2024 - MasterClass 28/04/2024 05:08
playscript. Include stage directions (such as entering and exiting the

stage) and any physical actions necessary to the storyline or character
development. Actors need the freedom to embody the character in their
own way, so don’t get overly specific with movement description. Note
important elements about set design, lighting, or props. Leave time
between scenes for technical elements such as scene changes or
costume changes. If your play is longer than one act, include an
intermission so that your audience members have a break to stretch their
legs and refresh their minds.
5. Write your acts. Once you break out your narrative arc, flesh out the
body and action of the play. Write the play out of order if it helps with your
creative flow. Some writers start writing the climax or end of the play
before the first act to help them avoid overwriting and to ensure that the
story stays on track. Each act should contain its own arc within the larger
narrative, always highlighting the play’s theme and message. Break long
scenes of dialogue up with action, tension, or surprise.
6. Use proper formatting. Like writing for the screen, scriptwriting for the
stage follows specific formatting conventions. Format your play correctly
to ensure it is easy to read and looks professional. Most playscripts center
and capitalize the character names on the page; indent and italicize stage
directions; and center act and scene headings in all capitals. When in
doubt, use script-writing software, which will automatically format your
playscript and remove any guesswork.
7. Reread and revise. After completing your first draft, read through the
entire play from beginning to end. Jot down any notes for yourself in the
margins, then reread the script with these insights in mind. Check for
inconsistencies (such as continuity or timeline issues), plot holes, or weak
character dialogue. Ensure that the characters’ actions and behaviors
align with their motivation, and tweak as necessary.
8. Proofread and edit again. Using the notes from your draft, take a
second pass at your script. Fine-tune the dialogue and the action.
Commission family and friends to read the script and provide honest
feedback.
9. Do a table read. Ask some willing participants to volunteer for a table
read, which is an organized script reading in which actors and producers
read out the dialogue, stage directions, and scene headings of your play.
The table read will highlight elements of your play that you might need to
tweak. Pay attention to each line of dialogue and how the action flows.
Apply the learnings from the table read to the final draft of your script.
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How to Write a Play in 9 Steps - 2024 - MasterClass 28/04/2024 05:08

1. Determine your story. Brainstorm a few ideas that translate to the

playscript. Include stage directions (such as entering and exiting the

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