For over two decades, Stephen Jeffreys' remarkable series of workshops
attracted writers from all over the world and shaped the ideas of many
of today's leading playwrights and theater-makers. Now, with this
inspiring, highly practical book, you too can learn from these acclaimed
masterclasses.
Playwriting reveals the various invisible frameworks and mechanisms
that are at the heart of each and every successful play. Drawing on a
huge range of sources, it deconstructs playwriting into its constituent
parts, and offers illuminating insights into:
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Structure--an in-depth exploration of the fundamental elements of
drama, enabling you to choose instinctively the most effective
structure for your play
-
Character--advice on how to generate and write credible characters
by exploring their three essential dimensions: story, breadth, and
depth
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How to Write--techniques for writing great dialogue, dynamic
scenes, and compelling subtext, including how to improve your writing
by approaching it from unfamiliar directions
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What to Write--how to adopt different approaches to finding your
material and an exploration of the fundamental "Nine Stories," plus
how to evaluate the potential of your ideas
Written by a true master of the craft, this authoritative guide will
provide playwrights at every level of experience with a rich array of
tools to apply to their own work.
