The Playwright:
The play writer is the only person who is responsible for the starting point of the theatrical event. A playwright works in the branch of literature dealing with the writing and producing of plays for the theatre. The literary composition is written specifically for the stage in play format by the playwright.
How plays are written at any given time depends on :
The intended audience and purpose.
The playwright’* current views about the human condition.
How the playwright perceives the truth around him/her.
A playwright must understand and know the established artistic and theatrical conventions of the theatre. A playwright must appreciate the working procedures, materials and technical aspects of a production, because the script is the starting point of the theatrical production. There are many ways to write a play. Sometimes a playwright starts with an idea. Another playwright may begin with a single character in mind. Some playwrights base their work on spectacle. Plays can be ‘tightly structured’ or ‘episodic’. A playwright re-creates and re-states the human experiences and the universal mirror of mankind. The script is the heart of the theatrical event. It must be respected.
*Steps of the Playwright’ Work:** Playwriting and creating drama for each playwright is distinctively different. Plays can develop out of any combination of starting points and patterns. The processes by which drama is created for each playwright can be varied in the steps used to create the text.
*The following list in a progressive order, but the order can change depending on each playwright’ characteristic style and preferences for writing.**
Coming up with thought/theme/ideas to be expressed through the work.
Determining the genre and style of the work
Outlining basic action of the work and creating a plot.
Establishing the structure of the play and overall framework
The development of characters presented in the work.
The creation of dialogue and the language of the characters.
7. Creating music: - This can involve the rhythm of the language or actual music composition and the lyrics of the songs.
8. Establishing spectacle: - The visual and environmental elements of the work.
- Research of subject matter and relevant issues presented in the play.
