In our blog about how to write a play, you will find plenty of information on writing plays, including playwriting advice, how to write a play, what makes a good play, and how to stage a play. But what if your play is not a comedy or a tragedy? What if it’s something in between, such as a modern drama or an absurdist comedy? Or a play that has no real plot at all? Well, the rules for writing a play still apply, but some of them will be different. So, here are some ideas and tips that might help you write your next play, whatever genre it may be. The Rules for Writing a Play A play is written to be performed. It has a beginning, a middle, and an end.
What Is Playwriting?
Playwriting is the art of crafting a dramatized narrative for a theater production. In the same way that screenwriters draft screenplays for television and film, playwrights write play scripts for characters to perform on stage. This type of dramatic writing offers a high degree of creative freedom to the artist, no matter if he or she chooses to write a long play or a powerfully concise one-act play.
How To Write A Play (Tips to Know)
You can use the following steps to pen your masterpiece, regardless of whether you are aiming for Broadway or a performance for friends and family:
Determine Your Story
Think of a few ideas that you could translate to the stage. You should have a central conflict that emphasizes what you want to say in your play. You will be telling your story to live on stage, so keep production elements like space and special effects in mind. Think of creative ways to represent your complex or surreal concept. Shakespeare, Henrik Ibsen, Samuel Beckett, David Mamet, Arthur Miller, and Tennessee Williams are excellent sources of inspiration, pacing, and world-building.
Determine The Main Character
Stage plays are largely stories about characters. The majority of stage plays revolve around characters. Fictional characters must be unique, relatable, and three-dimensional in order to be believed. Motives drive characters’ actions and decisions, creating the narrative arc. Determine the goals, traits, and backstory of the protagonist (the main character). Make your main character or supporting characters conflicted by creating an interesting antagonist. You should avoid tropes and clichés when creating your main characters so they won’t turn off your audience. Think about classic archetypes when inventing characters who will help each other achieve their full potential.
Outline Your Idea
The first step in outlining your play is to break it down into acts. A one-act play (which is very short), a three-act play, or a five-act play are common structures. Outline your play’s beginning, middle, and end and the major plot points surrounding your main conflict. You should separate your plot points into acts based on the rising action (leading up to the climax) and the falling action (leading up to the resolution). Keep the audience’s attention by making your act breaks compelling. Your characters should be developed through one or two subplots.
Input Stage Directions
When writing your playscript, keep stage movement in mind. Directions on entering and exiting the stage should be included as well as any physical actions necessary to the story or character development. Give actors freedom to embody the character in their own way, so don’t be too specific about movement descriptions. Make a note of important aspects of the set design, lighting, or props. For technical elements such as costume changes or scene changes, leave time between scenes. You should include an intermission in your play if it is longer than one act so the audience can stretch their legs and refresh their minds. Read Also:- How To Write a Sonnet