Shortlisted for the STR Theatre Book Prize 2023
A manifesto for the future of playwriting, this book challenges you to be a part of that future in the belief that it is fundamentally important to write plays. Plays help us understand ourselves, others, and the world around us. Reading this book, you will be challenged to learn your craft, explode what you know, prioritise what is important to you, and write in the way that only you can write.
Most books on playwriting explain how to create a believable character in a story driven by plot. This book, however, goes even further in its exploration of the playwright's most valuable tool: theatricality. By learning from the past, and the present, the playwrights of tomorrow can create new, vivid, theatrical drama for the future.
This manifesto also examines the process of writing, the art of collaboration, and the impact of writing on a playwright's mental health. It identifies the highs and lows, as well as the trials and tribulations, of life as a playwright in today's world. Theatre is a living artform. It is time for playwrights to acknowledge that fact and to celebrate the unique, primal thrill that a live theatre experience offers us. The future of playwriting is in your hands. Do you accept the challenge?
- 297 pages
- English
- PDF
- Available on iOS & Android
eBook - PDF
About this book
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Table of contents
- Cover
- Halftitle page
- Title page
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- CONTENTS
- ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
- PREFACE
- PROLOGUE
- PART ONE
- 1.1 WRITE PLAYS
- 1.2 WRITE WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU
- 1.3 WRITE LIKE ONLY YOU CAN WRITE
- 1.4 STAND ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS
- PART TWO
- 2.1 IT ISN’T NATURAL(ISM)
- 2.2 TEAR DOWN THE FOURTH WALL
- 2.3 DRAMATIC STRUCTURE IS NOT A SCIENTIFIC LAW
- 2.4 YOU DO NOT NEED TO KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT YOUR CHARACTERS
- 2.5 YOU ARE A DRAMATIC POET
- 2.6 GET MUSICAL
- 2.7 GET PHYSICAL
- 2.8 THINK BIG
- 2.9 SHOCK, BREAK AND PROVOKE
- 2.10 WRITE A POSTDRAMATIC PLAY
- 2.11 WRITE ACCESSIBLY
- PART THREE
- 3.1 THE WAY TO WRITE
- 3.2 THEATRE IS COLLABORATION
- 3.3 TAKE THE BUSINESS OF BEING A PLAYWRIGHT SERIOUSLY
- 3.4 LOOK AFTER YOUR MENTAL HEALTH
- 3.5 YOU ARE THE FUTURE OF PLAYWRITING
- EPILOGUE
- REASONS TO BE A PLAYWRIGHT
- NOTES
- BIBLIOGRAPHY
- INDEX
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Yes, you can access The Playwright's Manifesto by Paul Sirett in PDF and/or ePUB format, as well as other popular books in Literature & Drama. We have over 1.5 million books available in our catalogue for you to explore.