The Elements of Playwriting [Paperback]

Louis E. Catron (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 6, 2001 | ISBN-10: 157766227X | ISBN-13: 978-1577662273

For those interested in learning and honing the art and craft of creative playwriting! With an infectious enthusiasm for the theater, Catron presents the basic principles of playwriting, including plot, dialogue, and character development, as well as the more complex issues of creating multi-dimensional characters and writing stageworthy plays that will attract producers, directors, actors, and audiences. Throughout, he sprinkles examples from classical and modern plays, provides exercises for sharpening and developing skills, and offers practical guidelines on working with actors and directors, getting produced and published, and finding an agent. Favoring concrete advice over theory, The Elements of Playwriting is an invaluable resource for both beginning and advanced playwrights and for anyone involved in the art and craft of theater. Special features: 1) provides step-by-step techniques for improving a play; 2) includes information about copyright, agents, organizations, and references; and 3) offers end-of-chapter exercises for fine-tuning creative application of topics discussed.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Also by Louis Catron and available from Waveland Press: The Director's Vision: Play Direction from Analysis to Production (ISBN 9781577666769); Playwriting: Writing, Producing, and Selling Your Play (ISBN 9780881335644); and The Power of One: The Solo Play for Playwrights, Actors, and Directors (ISBN 9781577666202). Title of related interest also available from Waveland Press: McCloskey, Economical Writing, Second Edition (ISBN 9781577660637).

About the Author

One of America's leading authors of books and articles for playwrights, Professor Catron's writing reflects his years of teaching playwriting as well as his extensive experience directing modern and classical plays and musicals. He shares this accumulated practical knowledge with his readers as he guides them in a friendly, personal way through the process of creating stageworthy scripts.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Waveland Pr Inc (December 6, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 157766227X
• ISBN-13: 978-1577662273
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #55,881 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars CORE TEXTBOOK FOR THE SERIOUS PLAYWRIGHT, September 23, 2003

By 

nick vlachos (bloomington, Illinois United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Elements of Playwriting (Paperback)

I am a Midwestern physician by day and fledgling playwright by night. One year ago I decided to take an idea to paper and wrote my first play. The story was clear in my mind so the writing went easy. Within six weeks I had completed a rough first draft. At this point I ventured over to the local bookstore to see what books they had on playwriting. There were several, but Louis Catron's The Elements of Playwriting caught my immediate attention. Standing there, I skimmed the contents then read a few pages. The book was full of pearls gleaned obviously from a lifetime of experience in the theater. I bought the book and ordered a coffee to read more, (isn't that the way it always happens?)

Catron goads our left and right brains into action in ten chapters that range from how to get the play started, formatting the text and incorporating Aristotle's six elements of live theater into the work, to suggestions on getting your work published and performed. Various exercises to get the point across are used along the way. The book is a joy to read; a superb "nuts and bolts" treatise for the novice and veteran writer alike. I pick up something new each time I read it. I particularly enjoyed the discussion on how to be a playwright, involving as much with how one "thinks" as what ones "does."

In my opinion, Louis Catron's The Elements of Playwriting is the best book on the subject out there. It helped me complete my play and make it a more polished work. The book would be perfect as the main textbook in any college playwriting class. Louis Catron's "Elements" certainly "plays in the heartland!"

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Catron helped get my play on stage, October 22, 2003

By 

royoneil (Waterbury, CT) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Elements of Playwriting (Paperback)

I completed the first draft of my play "American Brass" back in 1999. It was pretty awful. Then, I found this wonderful book by Prof. Catron. Following the guidelines and inspiration contained in his book I eventually transformed the draft into a stageworthy script.

Before reading his up front advice "Don't show anyone your first draft", I had given a reader a look at the play. The reader, an experienced theater person, tried to be helpful with constructive comments, which I came to understand after reading Catron's book meant - I had no plot, my characters were flat and I was writing narrratives rather than dialogue.

This book provides a clear understandable guide to the structure and dynamics of a successful play and how to write one. Rewrite, rewrite, rewrite.. and before each rewrite review Caron's book for insight and inspiration.

There's also practical advice - look to get your play on stage not necessarily on Broadway. So I had a high school do a reading and then a church group and now I have the area community theater interested in a full production.

Thank you Prof. Catron

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Book for Understanding the Playwriting Process, August 1, 2004

By 

Donna Grayson "Donna G. Grayson" (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Elements of Playwriting (Paperback)

The Elements of Playwriting is a great book for anyone who wants to understand what it takes to write a play. Catron goes over everything a person needs to know including creating characters, building a plot, and constructing dialogue. I really liked the chapter on What Makes a Play.

Even if you are not a Playwright, but you are involved in the theatre in another capacity, such as an actor or stage manager - you would still benefit greatly by reading this book. It will give you a great understanding of what a Playwright must accomplish in order to get his play to the stage.