Stage Play--5-10 pages--Due April 27th

Writing a Stage Play
(5-10 pages)

Due April 27th

Journal—Renew/Review Your Idea Bank (about a page)

} Write down your interests or passions.
} Write down your favorite genres (sci-fi, adventure, romance, comedy, drama, mystery, etc.)
} Write down social issues that concern you.
} Write down political issues that concern you.
} Write down issues with friends (including boyfriends or girlfriends) or family.
} Write down moments, times or experiences in history that interest you.
} Write about stories you wrote that could be turned into a short play.

Stage Play Assignment

} You will write a One Act 5+ page stage play with a partner. This will be due Monday, April 27th.
} This will be written for high school students to possibly perform at school. Keep it appropriate or no credit.
} Five pages=Five minutes because of the way the play is formatted. Use Celtx—a free download to help you format your stage play and screenplay. See my blog for download information.

Elements of Your Play/Rubric (60 pts)

} ___(10 pt.) Well-written, revised & edited. Professional quality. Appropriate for high school performance.
} ___(10 pt.) Written for the stage/live performance—no special effects or complicated movie effects. Includes props and stage direction. Setting is clear and fits the play.
} ___(5 pt.) Hook—Gets right into the action. Grabs your audience’s attention.
} ___(10 pt.) Believable characters with authentic dialogue that flows well.
} ___(10 pt.) One dilemma/conflict that is climatic.
} ___(5 pt.) Has resolution or satisfactory ending.
} ___(10 pts) In play format. Use Celtx.

The character list is not included in the 5 pages!

Sample Structure of the One Act Play

Act 1
} Setting
} Scene 1—hook the audience, establish mood, characters and conflict, rising action (beginning)
} Scene 2—climax and maybe falling action (middle)
} Scene 3—falling action and resolution (end)

You will have anywhere from 1-3 scenes for a 5+ page play. Don’t make the scenes too short because it is difficult to get actors on and off the stage quickly.