How Not to Write a Play

How Not to Write a Play
Author: Walter Kerr
Publisher: Dramatic Publishing
Total Pages: 164
Release: 1996
Genre: American drama
ISBN: 9780871293329

"Most young playwrights nowadays want to learn 'how to' write a play. This seems to me to be a mistake." Thus begins the first chapter of Walter Kerr's fascinating book on the art of playwriting. Taking an about-face look at the creative process, with chapters such as "How to Spoil a Good Story," Mr. Kerr leads us through the exciting and daring adventure of successfully bringing a play to fulfillment. "There is no point in pretending that this is not going to be an argumentative book or that overemphasis isn't going to crop up pretty frequently in the chapters that follow. The face of our theater is so familiar to us that we shall never see its features without blowing them up a bit, one by one. And it does seem to me that we had better do some arguing - quick." Walter Kerr, drama critic, playwright, teacher, director, and winner of a Pulitzer Prize for Drama Criticism, served as drama critic for the New York Herald Tribune and was chief critic for the Sunday New York Times until his retirement. -- from back cover

The Art and Craft of Playwriting

The Art and Craft of Playwriting
Author: Jeffery Hatcher
Publisher: Penguin
Total Pages: 226
Release: 2000-03-01
Genre: Performing Arts
ISBN: 1599634430

Jeffrey Hatcher knows the nuts and bolts of writing for the theater. Here, he shares his views on it all--from building tension and plotting a scene, right down to moving a character from one side of the stage to the other. From crafting an intriguing beginning to delivering a satisfying ending. In Hatcher's one-on-one discussions with acclaimed American playwrights Lee Blessing, Marsha Norman and Jose Rivera, you'll find a wealth of practical advice, tricks of the trade and insight that will help you in your own creative efforts.

How to Write a Play

How to Write a Play
Author: Anonymous
Publisher: Good Press
Total Pages: 44
Release: 2019-12-10
Genre: Drama
ISBN:

'How to Write a Play' is not a guide book into actually writing a play. Instead, it is a set of tips from established playwrights of the era. In this case, the featured individuals are as follows: Alexandre Dumas Fils, Émile Augier, Émile Zola, and Ernest Legouvé.

How to Write a Play

How to Write a Play
Author: Various
Publisher: The Floating Press
Total Pages: 48
Release: 2009-05-01
Genre: Drama
ISBN: 1775410323

Do you have an itch to see your stories unfold on stage? Want to cast your lot with Marlowe, Shakespeare, Ibsen, Miller, Mamet, and other renowned playwrights? If so, How to Write a Play is a great place to start. This collection compiles insight and advice from some of the world's most renowned playwrights, providing the perfect dose of inspiration for beginners and pros alike.

Write A Play And Get It Performed: Teach Yourself

Write A Play And Get It Performed: Teach Yourself
Author: Lesley Bown
Publisher: Teach Yourself
Total Pages: 192
Release: 2010-04-30
Genre: Performing Arts
ISBN: 1444129864

Write a Play - and Get It Performed is designed for would-be writers of every level and for all types of motivation by two prize-winning professionals. Whether writing for the specific needs of an amateur drama group, community event, political campaign or simply for personal or professional development, this is a guide to the craft of playwriting. It offers guidance on the creative principles of scripts, characters, plot, structure and dialogue and explains the principles of staging and stage directions as well as gives tips on how to write for a variety of different situations, for every age and ability and according to specific genres - particularly those often preferred by amateur groups, such as pantomime and musical theatre. NOT GOT MUCH TIME? One, five and ten-minute introductions to key principles to get you started. AUTHOR INSIGHTS Lots of instant help with common problems and quick tips for success, based on the author's many years of experience. TEST YOURSELF Tests in the book and online to keep track of your progress. EXTEND YOUR KNOWLEDGE Extra online articles at www.teachyourself.com to give you a richer understanding of writing a play. FIVE THINGS TO REMEMBER Quick refreshers to help you remember the key facts. TRY THIS Innovative exercises illustrate what you've learnt and how to use it.

How to Write a Play - Letters from top playwrights

How to Write a Play - Letters from top playwrights
Author: Various
Publisher: Lulu.com
Total Pages: 38
Release: 2016-12-05
Genre: Art
ISBN: 1365587290

There is No Better Way Than To Learn From Successes. The problem is that successful playwrights are not always the best teachers. These letters in themselves are not a course of study, but rather consider these missives to serve as muses that sit on your shoulder and opine. There are no workable rules for play-writing to be found hereÑnor, indeed, any particular light of any kind on the subject, so the letters may be approached with a mind arranged for enjoyment. As to the talented authors of these letters, they know excellently wellÑevery one of themÑhow to write a playÑor did while still aliveÑeven tho some of them see fit to deny it; but they cannot tell us how to do it for the very good reason that it cannot be told. Their charming efforts to find a way out when cornered by such an inquiry as appears to have been made to them are surely worth all their trouble and annoyanceÑnot to speak of their highly probable exasperation. Get Your Copy Now.

You Can Write a Play!

You Can Write a Play!
Author: Milton E. Polsky
Publisher: Hal Leonard Corporation
Total Pages: 206
Release: 2002-02-01
Genre: Performing Arts
ISBN: 1617746347

Do you have an idea for a play? A situation or experience from your home or work life? Fantasy? With helpful clear examples taken from his own experiences in teaching directing and playwriting Milton Polsky shows how to find and shape a dramatic idea and bring it to fruition. In addition to providing many practical exercises suggestions and tips he discusses and illustrates with examples from established playwrights the importance of giving shape to your idea so that what is in your head and heart can be expressed to the fullest. To facilitate this creative process there are What if? Just for You Playwright's Page sections; diagrams journal exercises; and for this revised edition end of chapter Suggested Activities for the Classroom (solo and group); addditional appendices including one on feedback; and over 50 new photos. This invaluable and basic guide to writing plays is ideal for teachers students camp counselors community theatre leaders and for anyone who knows there's a play inside trying to get out]