How to Be a Playwright

The stage is just one way playwrights can make money.

Imagine being able to make money seeing your ideas come to life. That’s what you can expect if you become a successful playwright. And, like Tyler Perry and many others in the industry, you can make even more money if your plays get converted into movies, television shows and novels. You just need to know how to get started. Check out the steps below for more information.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• A degree in English
• Playwright software
• Acting troupe (optional)
• Video camera (optional)

1. Get a degree in English. Going to college serves two purposes. First, it exposes you to the art--giving you a chance to learn the styles and formats of successful plays. Secondly, it allows you to network with professors, individuals who may have contacts in the industry.

2. Use playwright software to format all of your creations. This step is important, because most in the industry won’t even want to see your play if it isn’t properly formatted. Fortunately, thanks to the ease of the Internet you can easily get affordable playwright software at the click of a button. Prominent examples include “Great Dialogue,” “Sophocles” and “Zhura.”

3. Enter your play into playwriting contests. If your play is able to win, you will get recognition as well as a healthy sum of money.

4. Send your play off to theaters. Make an inquiry of theaters in your area. If they are looking for plays from contemporary playwrights, they may give your work some consideration.

5. Apply for playwright residences. Playwright residencies, available at most colleges, won’t make you rich, but they will put get you started with your play’s production. You may also get a stipend and free room and board during the residency.

6. Look through online job boards for any available playwriting opportunities. Occasionally, online job boards and freelancing sites will list job openings for playwrights.

7. Setup your portfolio by producing your own plays. You can start this process by setting up an acting troupe. Depending on the extent of your play, friends and family could be enough. Otherwise, you may want to hire beginning actors from colleges.Anyway, try to make arrangements where you can rent out a stage. If this is not possible, produce your play in a large area in your house. From there, record your play. When it is finished, you can consider distributing it on video-sharing networks to start getting your name out there.

Tips & Warnings

• New York contains the greatest number of playwriting opportunities.

• You might have better luck if you use an agent to sell your work.

• If you don’t follow a theater’s submission guidelines, your play may not be considered.

Resources

• Advice from a real playwright
• Playwriting opportunities
• Playwriting resources