Play Script Tips

Some tips regarding play script writing:

• All plays should have a beginning, middle, and end. They can begin or end just like a poem or story (i.e., ending with a circular, surprise, summary, or open-ending, etc.)
• All plays are written for the stage (not to just be read); they are meant to be performed live by live actors. To get good at this reading and watching plays is essential.
• All plays are written in present tense (not past); all plays use a specific and distinct format
• All plays are more powerful if they are tightly written. To be "tightly written" you should avoid using broad-sweeping plots, with many cinematic scene changes.

Our short plays should adhere to what are called the unities:
1. The unity of time (plays should not span many years)
2. The unity of place (plays should concentrate action in one or few settings)
3. The unity of action (plays should limit their plots so they are not confusing)

All plays require conflict
Conflict should be balanced (in other words the struggle between protagonist and antagonist should be a fair fight); it is often better to have an antagonist who is slightly more powerful.

Characters often are antagonists to each other in plays.

Meaning (theme) in a play is tied to the action and conflict being presented on stage

All plays should be entertaining (and written to be performed)

All plays should communicate an idea (or belief about the human condition)

All plays are REPRESENTATIVE of real life. They are NOT real life.

Plays are NOT movies. The best way to learn how to write scripts is to read them and see play productions whenever possible.