How to write a play in 10 steps

Writing a play can represent a challenge for any playwright, but especially for those who are just taking the risk of delving into the creation of a dramatic text. However—whether it starts from an idea or a director's request—in this article we will teach you how to write a play in X simple steps.

The first thing to keep in mind before starting is who the work is aimed at: is it a children's piece, or for the whole family? In addition, It is essential to discern what type of structure it will have, since the bases may vary depending on whether we are talking about microtheater or a complete play. Even so, there are elements that every text must have: approach, middle, outcome and end.

How to write a play in X steps

1. Determine the genre and main theme of the work

Before starting to write a play It is essential to establish what its gender will be.: that is, if what you want to write is a comedy, tragedy, opera, drama, musical, monologue or tragicomedy. In relation to this, it is necessary to establish what the topic to be discussed is, and even if the viewer is going to leave some type of message, moral or life lesson.

2. Establish the context in which the work will be placed

This can refer to a specific period of time or a certain event that the characters must go through. The chronological moment and the space-time situation are essential, since they will define not only the scenery and costumes, but also the conflicts to develop in the scenes and the very creation of the protagonists. For example: it is not the same for a man to declare his love for her in the 15th century as for him to do so in the 18th century.

3. Develop the premise of the work

After having defined the genre and the context, it is time to establish what is going to happen in the dramatic text: What will happen? What will be the central conflict? And who will be the main and secondary characters? These are just some of the questions to ask before moving on to the next point. To do this, it is advisable to use maps and diagrams that help locate all the elements.

4. Create the characters and choose their role within the work

This is perhaps the most fun and exciting part of writing a play, since the characters stand like the most important elements on which the story is based and its nuances. They will be the general framework that will sustain the creation, since the development of the work will depend on their conflicts and behaviors. In this sense, it is necessary to design credible characters.

5. Outline the structure of the story

Most plays are usually divided into three or five acts. From this knowledge, scenes can be incorporated, although It is always advisable to follow the basic starting structure, development and ending, to combine the events with the planned time that the piece will have, and direct it towards a timing that invites round arcs.

6. Write the dialogues

If creating characters is exciting, writing dialogue is like standing in a building trying to decide whether to cut the blue wire or the red wire. This is a delicate process, because These lines should reflect the personalities of the heroes and move the plot forward, but it is essential to maintain a balance between the information they give and the actions they take.

7. Incorporate the notes

The directions are indications about how the characters should act, where they are and how the actions develop on stage. They are crucial in guiding actors and directors, allowing scenes to feel natural and dynamic to the viewer.

8. Development of the conflict

In this case, the writer must ensure that the central conflict is developed in a way that engages the audience. To achieve this, scenes cannot be gratuitous: each of them must be designed in a way that advances the plot or delve into the personality, philosophy, psychology and conflicts of the characters, in order to create a truly plausible plot.

9. Ultimate resolution of the central conflict

From this point, the text should be reviewed in search of errors, inconsistencies or dialogues that could be improved. The writer has to consider reading the play aloud, in addition to reading together with the actors, so that everyone hears how it sounds and has the opportunity to make suggestions in order to create a solid and round piece for the viewer's enjoyment.

10. Rehearsal and rewriting

Changes may arise during rehearsals of a play, so the playwright must keep an open mind and pay attention to the suggestions of all participants. These modifications can be applied to dialogues, scenes, or even characters, depending on what works best in the practice of the piece and the team's intention regarding audience reactions.

final recommendations

• During the presentation: It is the playwright's duty to ensure that the play is ready to be presented within the scheduled time. by the team and the chosen establishment. To achieve this, it is vital that there is collaboration with the director, the actors and the technical team, with the aim that everything flows as planned.

• Reception and feedback: after the presentation, all participants in the play must listen to the opinions of the audience and critics. This ethical practice will help improve future works and will strengthen the playwright's experience, as well as his ability to solve future writing tasks.

10 most famous plays in history

• Romeo AND Juliet, by William Shakespeare;
• The Divine Comedy, by Dante Alighieri;
• Life is Dream, by Pedro Calderón de la Barca;
• The Phantom of the Opera, by Gaston Leroux;
• Summer night Dream, by William Shakespeare;
• Fuenteovejuna, by Lope de Vega;
• La Celestina, by Fernando de Rojas;
• Hamlet, by William Shakespeare;
• Bernarda Alba's house, by Federico García Lorca;
• Don Juan Tenorioby José Zorrilla.