How to Create Goals and Obstacles in a Play

Goals and obstacles are important in a play because these aspects of a script are part of setting up a plot. Goals and obstacles, as well as other character events, give backbone to your plot and keep dramatic tension alive throughout your play. Here are some methodologies for adding goals and obstacles into a script scene by scene.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Go as high-stakes as possible. Many script writers see writing as similar to poker. You want to up the ante for your audience to keep them glued to their seats (or to keep them guessing) throughout the play. Experts use the classic example of the old blockbuster Romeo and Juliet when they say "Give your characters goals they'll die for."

2. Set up obstacles as plot events after you set up your character goals. Show plot events playing out in scene settings. Put them in a proper chronological context throughout the play scenes (this is called pacing). Good pacing will make your play flow smoothly from beginning to end.

3. Show characters encountering obstacles so that the audience knows that they know and care about the situations they are in. This is another classic part of dramatic writing and you can find it in just about any play around.

4. Give some script time to showing the tactics characters use to struggle with the obstacles they face. This is a big part of what's called "character development" and shows the human side of your main characters as the plot goes along.

5. Create driven, not passive, characters. Good character setup also enhances the power of a script. Make sure your characters are coming on stage with passion and not just limping along toward the conclusion.