Writing for Theatre: Creative and Critical Approaches

by Kim Wiltshire

Overview

Writing for theatre is a unique art form, different even from other kinds of scriptwriting. Making theatre is a truly collaborative process which can be a tricky aspect to grasp when starting out. This book will take you on a journey from the origins of theatre to what it means to write for the stage today. It includes a series of interviews with writers, directors and dramaturgs, all of whom are making theatre now, providing an unrivalled glimpse into the world of contemporary theatre making. Kim Wiltshire explores the foundations, traits and skills necessary for playwriting alongside the creative possibilities of writing theatre in the digital age. Each part of the book ends with a series of exercises which students of the craft can use to practise their art and stretch their creativity.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781350309289
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date:	12/01/2015
Series:	Approaches to Writing
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	208
File size:	734 KB

About the Author

Kim Wiltshire is a playwright and fiction writer, and is Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing at Edge Hill University, UK.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Collaboration
Critical Engagement
What is writing for theatre?
On A Practical Note
Using This Book
A Collaborative Approach to Writing About Playwriting
Role definitions
PART 1: FOUNDATIONS
1. A Brief History of Theatre for Playwrights Ancient Theatre Medieval Theatre The Renaissance The Seventeenth Century to the Twentieth Century
2. The Cultures of Writing for Theatre – Innovators Innovators of the past Nineteenth Century Innovators Twentieth Century Innovators Who else can new playwrights learn from?
3. Establishing Practice What is theatre for? Why write for theatre?
4. Becoming a Playwright Empathy Ambition/Drive Humility Knowing Your Craft Imagination Knowing the business of theatre
5. Building Blocks Subject and Story Structure Form Voice and Style Building the world Character and Dialogue
6. Foundational Exercises and Key Points Exercise 1 Starting Point Exercise 2 – Character Exercise 3 – Character Exercise 4 – Plotting and Story Exercise 5 – Location Exercise 6 – Economy and exploration of Language Exercise 7 – Performing Work Exercise 8 – Plotting
Theatre Shapes
Conclusion to Part 1
PART 2: SPECULATIONS
Introduction
7. Exploring Possibilities Types of theatre Theatre in the digital age
8. Cultures of Writing for Theatre – Innovators Bringing Theatre to a new audience Who can new playwrights learn from?
9. Exploring Practice: Making Theatre in the 21st Century Changing practice New Forms of Theatre Ethnographic, Verbatim and Participant Led Theatre Dramaturgs and Dramaturgy
10. New Voices, New Forms Collaboration Collaborative Writing Theatre Making Collaboration with other artists Collaboration with other art forms
11. Speculative Exercises and Key Points Exercise 1 – Pitching Exercise 2 – Awareness Exercise 3 – Sensory Exercise 4 – Objects Exercise 5 – Unblocking Exercise 6 – Improvise/Devise Exercise 7 – Art forms Exercise 8 – Patience Exercise 9 – Secrets and Lies Where to go next?
A Final Word of Advice on Social Media
Conclusion.