HOW TO WRITE A PLAY | 10 Playwriting Activities

Introduction

Writing a play can be an exciting yet challenging endeavor. This tutorial provides ten engaging playwriting activities designed to help you unleash your creativity and develop your skills as a playwright. Each activity is geared towards building your narrative, character development, and overall understanding of playwriting. Whether you're a beginner or seeking to refine your craft, these exercises will set you on the right path.

Step 1: Interrupted Ritual

• Choose a daily ritual or routine you perform.
• Interrupt the ritual at a surprising moment.
• Write a short scene exploring the emotional impact of this interruption on the characters involved.
• Consider how this disruption affects their relationships or motivations.

Step 2: Flashback / Memory

• Select a pivotal moment in your character's past.
• Write a scene that uses this memory as a flashback to reveal deeper insights about your character.
• Focus on sensory details to make the memory vivid and impactful.
• Explore how this memory influences the character's present actions.

Step 3: Character Questionnaire

• Create a detailed questionnaire for your character, including:
  • Name, age, and occupation
  • Hobbies and interests
  • Fears and dreams
  • Relationships with other characters
• Use this information to deepen your understanding of the character’s motivations and behaviors.
• Write a monologue from the character’s perspective based on their answers.

Step 4: Job Interview / Firing

• Write a scene that takes place during a job interview or a termination meeting.
• Consider the stakes involved for both the character being interviewed or fired and the interviewer.
• Focus on dialogue to convey tension and character emotion.
• Explore the underlying power dynamics at play.

Step 5: Diary Entry / Therapy Session

• Have your character write a diary entry or participate in a therapy session.
• Use this format to reveal internal conflicts and emotions.
• Focus on how the character expresses vulnerabilities and desires.
• Highlight what they hope to achieve or overcome.

Step 6: In Late Out Early

• Write a scene where a character arrives late to an important event and leaves early.
• Explore the reasons for their tardiness and the consequences of their early departure.
• Use this to develop themes of regret, anxiety, or urgency.
• Consider how other characters react to their behavior.

Step 7: Write Your Bad Ideas

• Set a timer for 10 minutes and write down every "bad" idea that comes to mind regarding your play.
• Don’t censor yourself; let your creativity flow without judgment.
• Review the ideas after the timer goes off and identify any that could be reworked into something valuable.
• This exercise encourages risk-taking and can lead to unexpected breakthroughs.

Step 8: Voice In My Head

• Write a scene where your character converses with their inner voice or conscience.
• This can take the form of a literal dialogue or an internal monologue.
• Explore themes of doubt, motivation, and conflict within the character.
• Use this to reveal deeper layers of your character’s psyche.

Step 9: Last Words

• Create a scene where a character has to deliver their last words before a significant change (e.g., moving away, death, or a major life decision).
• Focus on the emotional weight of these words and their implications.
• Consider how this scene can impact the characters left behind.
• Use dialogue to convey urgency and emotion.

Step 10: Digital Dialogue

• Write a scene that takes place entirely through digital communication (texts, emails, social media).
• Explore how the medium affects the conversation and the relationships between characters.
• Pay attention to the nuances of communication that can be lost or enhanced through digital means.
• Consider themes of isolation and connection.

Conclusion

These ten playwriting activities offer a structured approach to developing your skills and creativity as a playwright. By engaging with each exercise, you'll gain insight into character development, dialogue, and narrative structure. Take your time with each step, and don’t be afraid to explore different styles and perspectives. Happy writing, and consider following up with additional resources or workshops to further enhance your playwriting journey!