How to Write a Stage Play

Writing a stage play requires great thought, imagination, creativity and patience. It requires patience because writing is often an ongoing process. The play will night be written overnight. As the days pass, new ideas will surface and in time a well thought out play can be produced.

Things You'll Need

• Paper
• Pens
• Computer
• Playwriting software (if preferred)

Instructions

1. Prepare to write your play. Writing your play on paper is okay, but typing your play will make it look more professional, more presentable and organized. Type each character's name, with a colon following and then the character's words. Make sure each character has it's own separate line. When you are typing what's going on in the play, type this information on a separate line also. You can type single space, but you might want to double space when typing different actions that are occuring within the play. Some writers use playwriting software to help them to establish creative ideas for their plays. Writing software can be a very helpful and valuable tool to a writer.

2. Decide on the theme of your play. What will your play be about. The theme of your play should surround a main idea of the story. Your play may be focus on a specific character, place, thing, time or date. Deciding on your theme will help you to put ideas into perspective. The plot for your story will flow better.

3. Think of a title for your play. Be as creative as possible. Decide on a title that relates to the play and a name that will intrigue the audience as well as keep them interested and wondering about the play. The title of the play should cause your audience to analyze and associate your title to the story even while they are viewing the stage play.

4. Think of a plot for your play. How will your story be accomplished? What will be the scheme of your story? Your plot should be built upon the theme of your play and the main characters of the story. In the beginning of your plot, generally, your main characters should be introduced.

5. Decide on the setting of your play. This will involve the time, location, the surroundings, the scenery and the background props that will be used, etc. for your play. Will it be in the past, present or the future? Whatever you decide on, your scenery should be conducive to the time and location you have chosen such as clothing, building, cars and so forth in that specific time frame.

6. Decide on the characters for your play. If you're putting together a small stage play, it's a good idea to have at least three or four characters in your play so that they can dialogue with one another. You may also want to decide on whether there will be a conflict between at least two of the characters to make it interesting.

7. Decide and describe the costumes and makeup that your characters will wear. The costumes and makeup should also be according to the time frame of your stage play. For example, if the time frame is in seventies, the costumes should consist of bell bottom clothing, for example, and hair styles and makeup that relate to that time frame.

8. Decide on where scene breaks will occur as well as what sound effects will be used. Once you have decided on everything your play will consist of, you can document it all in writing and work on producing a very good play. Use an outline to help you to write ideas for your play. In addition, write a draft copy, proofread and edit your draft copy before writing the final copy.