Understanding and Writing a Script

The Three Little Pigs Title

Scene 1

NARRATOR: Once upon a time, a mother pig lived in the countryside with her Scene: Plays are
three children. Sadly, the mother pig saw her children were getting big and it divided into scenes. We
was time for them to leave home. change scene when the
location changes
MOTHER: Oh my children, it breaks my heart, but now it is time for you to go
and build your own houses.
Narrator: The story-
PIG 1: Don’t be sad mum, we will build great houses. teller. They introduce
MOTHER: I’m sure you will. I will come visit you. the story and describe
things that the actors
PIGS 1, 2 & 3: Bye mum! don’t show clearly.
[3 pigs walk away waving to their mother]

Scene 2 Dialogue: The words

that the actors say.
NARRATOR: The first little pig men a man selling straw.

PIG 1: I’d like to buy your straw. I think it will be easy to build a house from
straw.
Stage directions: These
MAN: are you sure? give the actors
information about their
PIG 1: Just give me the straw! actions. [Narrator does
not read these lines]

Writing a script and preparing a play

When writing a script for a play there are many important things to consider.

Plot: Start your play with the narrator telling the audience basic information. Then have an
exciting or unexpected event. Later in the story solve the conflicts, and decide if your
protagonist (main character)’s dreams will come true or not.

Characters: How many characters are in the story? How will these characters behave, and
which characters will be in conflict with each other?

Stage Directions: Provide stage directions for the actors in [brackets]. These give the actors
details on how to move, when and where to exit.

Setting: Where do the events of the story happen – indoors or outdoors? In a house, castle,
forest or city street? What kind of backdrop will I use to show this? Can we just draw a
picture on the board or should we prepare some images and use the projector?

Props: What will the actors hold or use in the play? What will we use for props?

Costumes: What will the characters wear? How will the audience be able to identify the
different characters?

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