How to Write a One-Act

Play and Major Types of

Staging
Presented By : Nea and Louie
 One act plays are short plays but contain elements of
the stories. The story happens in only one scene and
runs less than an hour. The elements, techniques, and
literary devices are essential features of a successful
and interesting one-act-play.
 Guidelines in Writing a One-Act Play
Aristotle discussed that one-play conform to the unities of drama. These
guidelines suggest that play should take place with:

1. Unity of Location - set in one location

2. Unity of Time - be set over aperiod of no more than one day

3. Unity of Action - have one central point

 Steps in One-Act Play Scriptwriting
Outline the basic plot. This
includes the problems the
characters are facing and how
will the characters react to the
problem.
Rehearse the script all
over again.
Develop the setting of the
scene. This includes where the
characters are talking and what
the set looks like.
Read the script with a
partner or friends for
revisions.
Develop the dialogue of the
play. Once the plot in the
characters are developed, one
will need to develop the script.
Decide the characters. A
character sketch should be
written beforehand to help flesh
out the characters and bring
them to life.
What is staging in connection to the script or
dialogue?
The staging and the dialogue (script) are the tools used to
bring characters to life.
Major Types of Staging
 Proscenium Stage
The usual "theater" with its primary feature is the
"picture frame" in the front of the playing area of
an end stage.
 Proscenium Stage
The usual “theater” with its
primary feature is the “picture
frame” in the front of the playing
area of an end stage.
 Thrust Theatre
A stage surrounded by
audience on three sides. The
fourth side serves as the
background.
 End Stage
The same as the thrust stage,
but in this case the audience
is located only in the front
of the stage and doesn't
extend around the sides,
although there may be
entrances there.
 Arena Theatre
The stage area is often raised to
improve line of site. The world's
first arena theatre was built by
the University of Washington in
1940 but the drama performed
was around 20th century.
 Flexible Theatre
Sometimes called a "black box"
theatre. Stages are big empty
boxes with black paint. These
theatre are a flexible tool for
teaching and performing theatre.
 Profile Theatres
These are "found space" theatres.
Risers are on either side of the
place space for the audience.
Actors staged in profile to the
audience.
 Sports Arena
It often serves as venue
for music concert it has a
rectangular floor plan
and a large arena stage in
profile to the audience.
Thank You