How to Write a One Act Play

Writing a one act play is a little more involved than a shorter work and all types of plays require use of different elements.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• ideas
• patience
• conflict
• paper
• pen
• computer

1. Consider the End: Before you even start writing a one act play you should consider the end. Can you get to where you want to in around thirty pages? If not you should probably want to write a full length play. If it will take more along the lines of fifty pages that is okay but you should maybe want to trim it down or add a little bit and turn it into Act I of your full length play.

2. Figure the Characters: Who are the people you will be introducing us to? What is their objective? Where are they now? Where are they going? What do they want? Why do we care? These are all important questions for a playwright to ask when they are beginning the journey into their play. Even if you don’t know the answers straight away you should begin thinking about what these answers are.

3. What is the Situation: What is going on in this play? One character wants something and there is something or someone standing in their way from getting it. Go back and look at great old playwrights and the themes and questions they introduced in their shorter works. Tennessee Williams, Sam Shepard, Eugene O'Neill all have a powerful line up of one act plays where you can go and see their focus and zoning in on the characters in a much shorter time period. Know what you want to say and know the situation before you begin writing.

4. Draft It: Once you’ve got characters and an end and you know where these people are and why then you should draft out a version. Make it as long and sloppy as you want because your next step is also vital in the creative process.

5. Cut: Like the binge and purge of a bulimic, you should make sure that you understand what belongs in your piece and what needs to go. You are in charge of this event but once you’ve made your first draft you will know what needs to stay and what needs to go.

6. Cinch It: Once you’ve made appropriate cuts, if your one act play still feels like it is missing something then maybe you should reconsider its birth as a one act: Is it too long? Does the idea need more development? Is it not long enough? You are always free to expand your ideas at any time.

7. Workshop: If everything is just right then all that is left is for you to get some actors, get a space and read it out loud. If you know any directors or people you would like to invite, now may not be the time for the money people, but having encouraging voices including professors, other playwrights, and friends whose opinion you value and trust are always good to have around when your work goes public.

Tips & Warnings

• Do your work in drafts; the evolution of ideas will benefit.
• Reading is part of the rewriting process; your words will live on stage so you need to hear them aloud before progressing

[eisfordanger]

on 11/30/2007 This article had lots of good questions which is perfect for focusing on exactly what needs to be done. I'm going to print this out and use the guidelines while working on my next project.