PAP - 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 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.

Please watch the presentations below to learn more about plays and playwriting. Before you begin watching, download the Plays & Playwriting Presentation Guide Links to an external site. to take notes throughout the presentation. 

Topic 1: The Role of the Playwright

Write The Play You Want To See

Determining A Focus and Emphasis and Establishing a Purpose

Establishing Point of View and Pre-Writing

Stages in the Play Development Process

Topic 2: Theatrical Script Formatting 

Theatrical Script Writing   

Click HERE Links to an external site. to download a sample script to view an example of the formatting discussed in the presentation above. 

Plays and Playwriting Self-Assessment Activity 

Complete the activity below to help you review the content from this lesson.

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