š Why did the chicken cross the road? To spark powerful conversations! The new competition version of Chicken. Road. is a compelling, issue-based play that creates space for meaningful discussions. A perfect choice for your next one-act festival. Click to learn more!
Enjoy some of our most popular playwriting exercises for aspiring writers in middle and high school! Every exercise comes with a free PDF download of the exercise or handout to use in the classroom.
1. āHurdling the First Lineā Playwriting Exercise
Itās always easier to give in to writerās block than to overcome it. Use this exercise to jump over that hurdle.
2. āName Gameā Title Exercise
Whether itās a movie, novel, or play, the title acts as a doorway into the piece. Use this exercise to practice creating a variety of titles based on a photograph.
3. āInner Monologueā Playwriting Exercise
If you get into the habit of observationānoticing the details about people, places, and thingsāyouāll never run out of material to write about.Try this inner monologue exercise to sharpen studentsā observation skills.
4. āSubtextā Playwriting Exercise
Subtext adds depth. Thereās the verbal conversation that two characters are having, then thereās the nonverbal conversation underneath the verbal conversation. This exercise includes 4 sets of writing prompts for students to uncover the meaning behind the words.
5. āSix Impossible Things Before Breakfastā Creativity Exercise
Being creative means being confident that you can solve a problem in a new way, regardless of what other people think. This post comes with an āimpossible scenesā exercise and a downloadable poster for your classroom!
by Lindsay Price
81 exercises that can be used to get students in the habit of writing on a regular basis.
by Lindsay Price
Youāve chosen to write a play for your students! Where do you start?
Use these 4 Playwriting drama teaching resources to make playwriting possible with your students. Great for warm-ups, prompts, writer's block and more!