Shelly Frome is a professor of dramatic arts emeritus at the University of Connecticut, a former professional actor and a prolific writer of fiction and nonfiction. He lives in Litchfield, Connecticut.

“strongly recommended..a ‘must read’”—Midwest Book Review; “excerpts from classic plays and prominent modern works [and] anecdotes from the author’s personal experiences”—Theater Crafts; “emphasis throughout is upon the craft of dramatic literary production...style is persuasive”—Speech & Drama.

• Table of ContentsForeword (by Kenneth Pickering)PrefacePart One: What Makes a Play “Play”?1. The Basic Ritual2. Stalking the Springboard3. Laying the Groundwork4. Charting the Course5. Tinkering with the Building Blocks6. Actualizing All the Characters7. Sketching in the Dialogue and Movement8. Shaping a Working DraftPart Two: Activation9. Seeking Practical Advice10. Calling in the Players11. Pressing On12. Polishing and ReassessmentPart Three: Finding a Path13. Taking Stock14. Perusing the Market15. Examining the LifeAfterwordAppendix A: Professional Playscript FormatAppendix B: A Selected BibliographyAppendix C: A Directory of Market Information, Agents and SupportAppendix D: Notes on SourcesIndex