Art of Writing for the Theatre

Luke Yankee is a professional playwright, director, author, producer, the Head of Playwriting at California State University, Fullerton, USA, and an adjunct faculty member at Chapman University, USA.

• Note on the TextIntroduction1. Script AnalysisWhy Do We Need Script Analysis?Definitions and Terms for Script AnalysisFreytag’s Pyramid and the Dramatic ArcA Crash Course in Aristotle’s PoeticsScript Analysis ExercisesExercises2. PlaywritingThe Elements of PlaywritingWhat Does “Show, Don’t Tell” Mean?The Significance of ExpositionThe Good Title TestThe Mechanics of Writing a PlayHow Do You Start?How To Write a Ten-Minute PlayOther Play FormatsConclusionExercises3. CriticismThe “Why” of Theatre Criticism“I Liked it” Doesn’t MatterWriting a Critique for a Play“Why Am I Bored?A Sample CritiqueCriticism as Entertainment Remember: Artists Have Feelings, TooWhen to Keep it to YourselfWhat to Look for When Writing a CritiqueCritiquing Other FormsExercises4. The Interviews: Conversations with Acclaimed Playwrights, Critics, Librettists, and LyricistsA Series of Master ClassesOn Starting Out“What Should I Write About?” On StructureA Writer’s ProcessReadings and Play DevelopmentOn Taking Advice on your ScriptOn CollaborationOn Writing MusicalsOn the Writer as “The Outsider Looking In”On Critics and Theatre CriticismAdvice for New WritersWhat Do You Love About the Theatre?5. The Brass Tacks: Practical Tools of Writing for the TheatreThe “How To” Of A Writer’s LifeRead, See, and HearTheatre BlogsSubmission Opportunities for PlaywrightsCover Letters for Writers…and BeyondLiving Room Readings: The Value of Free PizzaVirtual PresentationsA Map of RelationshipsOpening Night Cards and Gratitude Letters: A Lost Art ExercisesConclusionFurther ReadingNotesBiographies of IntervieweesSpecial ThanksAbout the AuthorIndex

Even after fifty years of creating musicals, I found The Art of Writing for the Theatre immensely helpful, especially as I undertake new projects. Luke Yankee's clear and concise analysis and advice, coupled with the insights of the writers he interviewed, seems to me invaluable and inspiring for anyone aspiring to write for the theatre, from beginner to long-time professional.