PP - Plays and Playwriting (Lesson)

Plays and Playwriting

Introduction

The main distinction that makes theatrical literature different from traditional literature is that the experience being crafted by a theatrical script is the dynamic live interaction between the performer of the text and the audience. This is decidedly different from the goal of writing for a reader intended to interact silently with the text. Theatrical texts rely on a collaboration from a team to interpret the text for performance. The performance is based on the script, not the text itself. Theatrical literature serves as a guide and inspiration for making final choices by the team of people producing the script. For this reason, theatrical literature written for the stage has key structural and formatting elements that make it different from traditional literature. These include but are not limited to the formatting of the text on the page, dramatic structure, dramatic character, theatrical genres, and dramatic dialogue. Likewise, the process for the playwright varies from the process of the traditional author because the playwright has the extra burden of considering some of the ramifications of the staging of the play. For this reason, it is a good idea for the playwright to have an understanding of the major ways in which an audience experiences the play.

Lesson Pre-Assessment

Before moving forward, see how much you know with the microlesson pre-assessment below.

Writing for the Stage

The main distinction that makes theatrical literature different from traditional literature is that the experience being crafted by a theatrical script is the dynamic live interaction between the performer of the text and the audience. This is decidedly different from the goal of writing for a reader intended to interact silently with the text. Theatrical texts rely on a collaboration from a team to interpret the text for performance. The performance is based on the script, not the text itself. Theatrical literature serves as a guide and inspiration for making final choices by the team of people producing the script. For this reason, theatrical literature written for the stage has key structural and formatting elements that make it different from traditional literature. These include but are not limited to the formatting of the text on the page, dramatic structure, dramatic character, theatrical genres, and dramatic dialogue. Likewise, the process for the playwright varies from the process of the traditional author because the playwright has the extra burden of considering some of the ramifications of the staging of the play. For this reason, it is ideal for the playwright to have an understanding of the major ways in which an audience experiences the play.

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Plays and Playwriting Self-Assessment

Review the material for this lesson below. If you have questions about the material, reach out to your instructor.

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PP - Plays and Playwriting (Lesson)

Plays and Playwriting

Introduction

Lesson Pre-Assessment

Writing for the Stage

Topic 1: The Role of the Playwright

Topic 2: Theatrical Script Formatting

Topic 3: Dramatic Character and Theatrical Genres

Topic 4: Dramatic Structure Recap

Topic 5: Aristotelian Elements

Topic 6: Dramatic Dialogue

Plays and Playwriting Self-Assessment