Teaching Playwriting: The Essential Handbook: A Step-by-Step Guide to Fostering Creativity in Your Classroom - Paperback

by Sophia Chapadjiev (Author)

Have you ever been fascinated by the idea of writing a play with your students, but never knew where to start? Do you ever feel stuck for new ideas on how to get more from your students when it comes to creative writing? How to get them to dig deeper to move beyond two-dimensional characters and simple stories?

• 7 chapters on how to introduce playwriting fundamentals with engaging activities, many of them never-before-published
• 5 chapters of step-by-step curriculum on creating plays individually, creating plays in small groups, and creating plays as a class
• 1 chapter on peer review, revision and a playwriting rubric
• 7 chapters of bonus material including a playwriting checklist, professional advise, performance crash course, and opportunities for young playwrights
• 9 handouts to aid students along the way

• What is a play? Through the exploration of provided texts students will discover what makes playwriting unique from other forms of creative writing.
• Dialogue. Students will learn how to write character-specific dialogue that keeps audiences engaged.
• Conflict. Students will understand the importance of raising the stakes and how to use conflict in a way that builds interesting scenes.
• Plot Sequencing. Students will learn how to use a plot diagram to chart out the world of a play.
• Creating a Character (from a photo). Students will learn the 8 W's of character development - then create an original character from an image.
• Creating a Character (from props). Students will learn that new ideas can come from anywhere - even everyday props in the classroom.
• Creating a Character (from improvisation). Students will engage in improvisational activities with the focus on serious character development. They will also understand how characters must move the plot forward.
• The Monologue. Students will learn the tools necessary to create a compelling monologue that rings true to their characters.
• Playwriting Tracks. In depth, step-by-step curriculum that will help you guide your students to create a play by either 1) Creating plays individually 2) Creating plays in small groups 3) Creating a play as a class
• eview, Revision, Rubric. Students will learn how to effectively review and revise their plays with peer participation and a provided rubric.
• Plus... Bonus Character and Dialogue Activities, a Performance Crash Course, Opportunities for Young Playwrights and Vocabulary List
• And much more...

Author Biography

Sophia Chapadjiev is the Artistic Director of the Young Playwrights Festival at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center where she has been the Director of Education since 2007. She has faciliated professional development workshops at educational conferences around the U.S. As a playwright, her works have been produced in New York City and London. She has a BFA from Emerson and an MFA from NYU's Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program.