One Minute Play - exercise (draft 1 & 2)

After reading the plays by Christopher Durang, we went to the lab and wrote a "1-minute" play. Your play was 1-2 pages long and included a few characters, a description of the setting, place and time.

Today, we will read a series of one-act plays (monologues or soliloquys, mainly). The purpose of a monologue is to develop character. It is the fastest way for the audience to get to know (and therefore care) about a fictional character. Monologues provide characterization.

In lab, please go back to your one-minute play. Call this play draft #2. In this draft, give each of your characters a monologue. The monologue can be:
--A character talking about his/her own background
--A character talking about what important event happened to him/her
--A character talking about the other character
--A character talking about an important idea that explains why or what the character is interested in
--A character talking about a problem or conflict in his/her life
--A character talking about... (your choice)

Add details, additional dialogue or anything else that you feel the scene needs to make a statement or explore a personal belief that you hold. (see the chapter on Being a Playwright)

Recap: Write draft #2 of your 1-minute play. Give each character a monologue. Add details and lines (beats) to your script. When you are ready to turn the play in for a grade, print out your play.