Tag: character development
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The Difference between a Skit and a Play
One might think that the main difference between a skit and a play is its length – skits being short and plays being long. But I contend that is not the distinction at all. I write short plays all the time, and they can be quite short, even just a few minutes in length. I […]
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Writing an Ensemble Piece
I find it to be a valuable exercise in determination and frustration to try and write a limited length ensemble piece. I do drama writing so that’s where my piece fits in. And yes, it’s causing me fits. Here’s the situation: I’m writing a less than 15 minute piece that has 12 characters. Talk about […]
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Characterization: A thought from Sir Lawrence Olivier
Lawrence Olivier said the following about acting: “If I play a beggar, I look for the king, and when I play a king, I find the beggar.” This is wonderfully simple expression of how to approach an acting role that you’ve been awarded. In real life, there are no regal people or destitute people. There […]
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Villains: An exercise in drama & writing
In my Intro to Theater Arts class, we did an exercise on villains. Everyone had to choose an especially wicked villain from a movie or book. I told them to chose someone who would be particularly unpleasant to be with in real life. Then, they had to pretend that they had to act the part […]