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Drama: May 09, 2012 Issue [#5030]

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Drama


 This week: Loads of Drama in Brief
  Edited by: Kate - Writing & Reading Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

         Welcome to this week's edition of the WDC Drama Newsletter. I am honored to be your scenic designer (I hesitate to take on the role of director) for this exploration

Just say the lines and don't trip over the furniture.
Noel Coward.



Word from our sponsor



Letter from the editor

Greetings, fellow writers of prose and verse. Have you ever seen a play you thoroughly enjoyed, thought it short and 'sweet.' One with a line or phrase or a look or act that stays in your mind's eye? Well, why not create a world outside the mundane for the visual delight of an audience?

         Consider a one-act play. It's like a short story or flash; like a poem with vivid images. A one act play covers one or two brief scenes yet has a plot, action and characters to make it a complete story. It's a fun way to test the waters and see if you like writing plays. Pick a subject or image, real or imagined, fact or myth, and draft the story. Each word counts, each image flashes in the mind's eye and ears, and smells (no, I'm not alluding to a 'stinky' play*Rolleyes*).

         Just like in a story, begin with action, then compose the dialog before you decide anything else. Keep the plot simple for a one act play and it should move consistently throughout the play. Avoid adding anything to the play that doesn't move the plot forward to the final conclusion ~ even if it's a line you absolutely love, well, it may just be fodder for your next play*Smile*..

         Develop the characters. Consider writing character sketches or interviewing your characters to bring them to life. Give your characters a motive in life (or lack thereof) and a problem to solve. This will not all be 'exposed' on stage, but will impact the action and tone of the play.

         Weave the setting for the play. Generate the setting. The setting for a one act play will be one or two scene, but you have to still develop the scene so the audience sees everything about the story line. Make them experience the play with all their senses. Consider the use of lighting and sound effects

         Add in the stage directions after you write the action. This is where you close your eyes and see and hear the action unfold. Note how each character responds to another and what props they will need. Should the characters face each other, or act aloof. Write or draw the action as you see it unfold in your mind's eye.

         Read the play aloud, using the action and scenic notes ~and act it out. Then, get a friend or two to walk it through. Bring your vision to life and if it isn't what you imagined, change a setting, add or remove a prop, have a character face forward instead of sideways. The play evolves as interaction between the writer, the actors, and your audience. Yes, if you write it, they will come ~ one day*Wink* and applaud your vision*Smile*

Write On!
Kate
Kate - Writing & Reading Author Icon


Editor's Picks

I invite you to read aloud ~ okay, act out ~ these short plays and let the playwrites know how you were transported for a brief time to a space outside the mundane

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1813281 by Not Available.


 I'll Be Right Down Open in new Window. (18+)
A guy who spends too much time on the computer. Or is there more to the story?
#1455488 by TheNoMonster Author IconMail Icon


 A Modern Juliet's Excuse Open in new Window. (13+)
One Act modern "Romeo and Juliet"--longer, unrevised version
#494399 by VictoriaMcCullough Author IconMail Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1790604 by Not Available.


 Grin and Bear It Open in new Window. (E)
One-Act play in Harold Pinter's "Theater of the Absurd" style. Very difficult to act out.
#1761983 by J. B. Anthony Author IconMail Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1461218 by Not Available.


 
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Word from Writing.Com

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Don't forget to support our sponsor!

ASIN: B01MQP5740
Amazon's Price: $ 4.99


Ask & Answer

         Thank you for sharing this exploration with me in your home theater. As a guest, I don't have an ask and answer, so I will close the curtain after an encore, in loving memory of our own Sticktalker Author Icon, who ever entertained and enticed and made us each laugh, cry and think:

 Yer OUT! Open in new Window. (13+)
Tiny one act play for 55 word contest
#1728249 by Sticktalker Author IconMail Icon


Kate

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