šŸ” 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!

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5 Great Playwriting Exercises for Middle & High School Students

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. ā€œHurdling the First Lineā€ Playwriting Exercise
Itā€™s always easier to give in to writerā€™s block than to overcome it. Use this exercise to jump over that hurdle.

2. ā€œName Gameā€ Title Exercise
Whether itā€™s 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. ā€œInner Monologueā€ Playwriting Exercise
If you get into the habit of observationā€“noticing the details about people, places, and thingsā€“youā€˜ll never run out of material to write about.Try this inner monologue exercise to sharpen studentsā€™ observation skills.

4. ā€œSubtextā€ Playwriting Exercise
Subtext adds depth. Thereā€™s the verbal conversation that two characters are having, then thereā€™s 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. ā€œSix 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 ā€œimpossible scenesā€ exercise and a downloadable poster for your classroom!


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81 Playwriting Exercises

by Lindsay Price

81 exercises that can be used to get students in the habit of writing on a regular basis.

How to Write a Play for your Students

by Lindsay Price

Youā€™ve chosen to write a play for your students! Where do you start?

Resource Bundle - Playwriting

Use these 4 Playwriting drama teaching resources to make playwriting possible with your students. Great for warm-ups, prompts, writer's block and more!

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Theatrefolk is the Drama Teacher Resource Company. We are your one stop shop for Plays, Resources, and Curriculum Support - all specifically designed for High School and Middle School drama teachers.
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