GET INSPIRATION

The first step is to read and watch as many plays as possible. During your research, take note of what
other playwrights do well. If you notice dialogue you especially enjoy or useful stage directions, consider
emulating them in your own play script. Reading a play first and then seeing a live performance of that
play is a great way to see what a script can turn into.

CHOOSE A THEME

Picking a theme for your play can help you write a play that audiences can connect to and understand.
Consider the following when deciding on what kind of story you’re telling:

Genre: This is the style, tone, and subject matter of your play, whether that be serious and somber or
funny and insightful (see examples of movie genres here)

Character growth: This is how your characters develop over the course of your play.

Key takeaways: These are morals or lessons that the audience learns by the end of the play.

CREATE A PLOT

The plot of your play is the events that take place and lead the entire story. You need to decide if you
want your play plot-driven, meaning the story pushes characters from scene to scene, or character-
focused, where characters’ actions direct the story. You may choose a combination of the two. Either
way, many playwrights create a plot that leads to character growth.

PICK A STRUCTURE

Plays are made up of acts. Within each act are multiple scenes. When writing your play, you need to
decide which kind of structure you want. As a new playwright, you may want to begin with a simple
structure, such as a one-act play. These are the most common play structures: