Concocting a great idea for a play proves meaningless if the student does not understand the basics of playwriting. Pass out print-outs of published plays to the class so the students can see exactly what a play should look like when written on the page. Review the formatting of character descriptions, list of characters, dialogue and scene and act breakdowns. Make certain that each student is also familiar with technical terms, including stage directions like "downstage" and "upstage."
A play without a compelling plot will quickly lose its audience. Make certain students understand that every play needs structure with the inclusion of a beginning, middle and end. The start of the play establishes the setting and characters; the middle introduces conflict; and the end reaches some sort of resolution. Demonstrate by picking a famous fairy tale, like "Cinderella" or "Rapunzel." Ask the students to break down the tale’s plot components, namely, the setting, characters, conflict and resolution.
Creating honest and truthful characters remains essential when writing a play. Playwrights must understand every aspect of a character’s personality and mental makeup. Ask your students to create a profile outline for each character, including the characters' objectives and motivations. In addition, request that your students create a personal history for all their characters, including details of their characters' upbringing, education and relationships. The student does not have to incorporate this information into the play, but it simply helps writers become familiar with their own characters.
No play is finished after completion of the first draft. Stage a workshop to read the student’s play out loud, giving the playwright the opportunity to hear actors recite the dialogue. Encourage the playwright to take notes during the read-through, denoting any awkward or problematic moments they may observe. As the instructor, provide suggested revisions and examine the logistics of the play as well. For instance, make certain actors will have enough time to make elaborate costume changes if appearing in back-to-back scenes.