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Step 1
Decide what exposition information the audience needs to know. Do not give the audience too much or too little background information. Tell the plot to someone else. Let them ask you questions about the characters' backstories. Listen to what they ask you about.
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Step 2
Place your characters into situations where there is action and dialogue. For example, if the characters are old friends getting back together, don't say "You are my oldest friend. I am glad we got together." Instead, include moments where they have fun together. Include ages and information that lead the audience to understand the relationship.
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Step 3
Use sound effects. Include in the script where sound effects need to be. Sound effects are excellent ways to convey the time, place and situation the characters are in. For example, if the play is set during a specific war, use bombing sounds or radio conversions to give subtle information. If the play is set in Vietnam, the walkie-talkies could refer to "Charlie," the enemy.
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Step 4
Give a description of each character's personality and backstory. A good actor can use this information to convey information through looks, attitudes and emotions, so their need for expositional dialogue is lowered considerably. Also, you won't have to explain time and place if the actors use dialects and dialogue specific for the play's location.
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Step 5
Describe the way you want the set. This gives you a chance to suggest ideas to the director about ways to place props or scenery. These details give the audience information about the time and place the play is set so you don't have to announce it in the dialogue.
