The Art of Writing for the Theatre

Filled with practical advice from an award-winning playwright, with a range of resources to guide you in the craft and business of theatre writing, The Art of Writing for the Theatre provides everything you need to write like a seasoned theatre professional, including: * how to analyze and break down a script * how to write a wide range of plays * how to critique a theatre production * how to construct and craft critical essays, cover letters, and theatrical resumes This thorough introduction is supplemented with exercises and new interviews with a host of internationally acclaimed playwrights, lyricists, and critics, including Marsha Norman, Beth Henley, Lyn Gardner, Octavio Solis, Ismail Khalidi, and David Zippel, among many others. Accompanying online resources include playwriting and script analysis worksheets and exercises, an example of a playwriting resume, and critical points to consider on playwriting, design, acting, directing and choreography.

Luke Yankee is a professional playwright, director, author, producer, the Head of Playwriting at California State University, Fullerton, USA, and an adjunct faculty member at Chapman University, USA.

Note on the Text Introduction 1. Script Analysis Why Do We Need Script Analysis? Definitions and Terms for Script Analysis Freytag's Pyramid and the Dramatic Arc A Crash Course in Aristotle's Poetics Script Analysis Exercises Exercises 2. Playwriting The Elements of Playwriting What Does "Show, Don't Tell" Mean? The Significance of Exposition The Good Title Test The Mechanics of Writing a Play How Do You Start? How To Write a Ten-Minute Play Other Play Formats Conclusion Exercises 3. Criticism The "Why" of Theatre Criticism "I Liked it" Doesn't Matter Writing a Critique for a Play "Why Am I Bored? A Sample Critique Criticism as Entertainment Remember: Artists Have Feelings, Too When to Keep it to Yourself What to Look for When Writing a Critique Critiquing Other Forms Exercises 4. The Interviews: Conversations with Acclaimed Playwrights, Critics, Librettists, and Lyricists A Series of Master Classes On Starting Out "What Should I Write About?" On Structure A Writer's Process Readings and Play Development On Taking Advice on your Script On Collaboration On Writing Musicals On the Writer as "The Outsider Looking In" On Critics and Theatre Criticism Advice for New Writers What Do You Love About the Theatre? 5. The Brass Tacks: Practical Tools of Writing for the Theatre The "How To" Of A Writer's Life Read, See, and Hear Theatre Blogs Submission Opportunities for Playwrights Cover Letters for Writers.and Beyond Living Room Readings: The Value of Free Pizza Virtual Presentations A Map of Relationships Opening Night Cards and Gratitude Letters: A Lost Art Exercises Conclusion Further Reading Notes Biographies of Interviewees Special Thanks About the Author Index