One Minute Play Exercise; Sure Thing & Playwriting 101

For a good portion of the quarter, we will turn our creative attention to play writing. To start off today, select a name, work with that person on a very short collaborative play script.

The Rules:

 You are going to write 2 short, short plays (no longer than a page in length) today during period 7. Take no more than 20 minutes each to complete both parts of the assignment.

1. To get you in the mood and to show you a model, please read "One Minute Play" by Christopher Durang with your randomly selected partner. Each of you should read this play silently or out loud together. 
2. After reading, select a random common setting: ex. a kitchen, a bus stop, a diner, a park, a school yard, a back porch, a golf course, a waiting room, a gas station, a supermarket, a nail salon, an office, etc.
3. Starting with one writer, create a name and type it on your screen or Google docs. Briefly describe your character (age, occupation, defining trait, etc.), then allow your partner to do the same. Don't discuss the character choice or plan ahead. Just create a random character that might go with your setting.
4. Skip a line, then start again with the character you created. Write a line of dialogue. Give the keyboard or allow your partner to respond with a line of dialogue for their character. 
5. Go back and forth in the next 20 minutes, sharing the keyboard or adding dialogue to the file until you have a definite ending. The best way to end a scene is with the words: END OF SCENE.

After completing your short draft, print out three copies of this single sheet. Give one to your partner, keep one, and give the last one to me (in my in-box). 

Next 20 minutes (period 7): 

1. Select a new partner of your choice. 
2. Read the play "Phyllis & Zenobia" together outloud or silently as a model.
3. Do the same exercise. Choose a different setting and different character. 
4. Print out 3 copies of your scene by the end of period 7. 

After the second bell, please join me in room 238 to read some short plays. Please volunteer to read out loud by selecting a role from those available. 

HOMEWORK: None.