Writing for Theatre

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

• IntroductionCollaborationCritical EngagementWhat is writing for theatre?On A Practical NoteUsing This BookA Collaborative Approach to Writing About PlaywritingRole definitionsPART 1: FOUNDATIONS1. A Brief History of Theatre for Playwrights Ancient Theatre Medieval Theatre The Renaissance The Seventeenth Century to the Twentieth Century2. 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 theatre5. Building Blocks Subject and Story Structure Form Voice and Style Building the world Character and Dialogue6. 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 – PlottingTheatre ShapesConclusion to Part 1PART 2: SPECULATIONSIntroduction7. Exploring Possibilities Types of theatre Theatre in the digital age8. 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 Dramaturgy10. New Voices, New Forms Collaboration Collaborative Writing Theatre Making Collaboration with other artists Collaboration with other art forms11. 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 MediaConclusion.