Category: Uncategorized
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How to Write a Thriller for the Stage: Craft, Suspense, and the Art of Unease
As the nights draw in, October offers the perfect climate for theatrical thrillers—stories that thrive on tension, concealment, and the slow drip of dread. But if you’re wondering how to write a thriller for the stage, it’s a good idea to take a look at what has gone before us. For playwrights, the thriller is…
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Digital Writing Retreat: Thriller Writing for Theatre
This Halloween weekend, while the rest of the world slips into costume and chaos, WriteForTheStage invites you to something a little different. Escape from the chaos and the costumes with our first-ever digital playwriting retreat, dedicated to the art of thriller writing. If you joined one of our Summer Schools, you’ll know the rhythm—morning workshops, evening readings,…
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Writing the Duet: How to Craft a Compelling Two-Hander Play
There’s a unique magic in writing a two-hander. Two characters, one space, and no distractions — just dialogue, subtext, and the emotional tightrope that binds them. It’s the most intimate of theatrical forms, and also, in many ways, the most exposing. There’s nowhere to hide — for the writer or the characters. I’ve always been…
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The Big Things – a long-awaited revival at GMFringe 2025
16th, 17th & 23rd July 2025Kings Arms Theatre, Salford When we speak about the big things in life, we often imagine dramatic, seismic events—the moments that define who we are. But sometimes, the truly life-changing things slip by quietly: a pause in conversation, the smell of toast in the morning, a glance across a crowded…
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Big Impact, Small Cast: Why Two- and Three-Handers Pack a Theatrical Punch
In an era when theatres are tightening belts and companies are looking for creative ways to do more with less, the virtue of plays with a small cast is clearer than ever. As a writer, director, and teacher, I’ve seen firsthand how two- and three-hander plays generate not just lean productions but rich, emotionally charged…
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Playwriting tips: The Power of Silence in Theatre
In playwriting, we often become fixated on words—on their rhythm, their subtext, their ability to push the narrative forward. But theatre is not just about dialogue. In fact, some of the most electrifying moments in a play happen when nothing is said at all. Silence is where the subtext lives. It’s the space between words…
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What happens at a playwriting summer school?
Find out all about the WriteForTheStage playwriting summer schools running from June to Aug this year.
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Playwriting tips: How to Get Beyond the 10-Page Sift
If you’ve ever submitted a play to a competition or writing opportunity, you’ve been subjected to the 10-page sift. And you’re likely familiar with the dreaded thanks-but-no-thanks email, and that email can hurt (and follow you around, tauntingly, for days or even weeks). And one of the reasons it hurts so much is that, chances…
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Playwriting Tips: Playwriting Prompts to Ignite Your Imagination
Are you an aspiring playwright looking for inspiration? Do you want to kick-start your creativity and write compelling scenes that captivate your audience? You need playwriting prompts that help release the barriers that hold you back. Look no further! This comprehensive guide explores a collection of playwriting prompts and writing exercises that could ignite your…
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Playwriting tips: Character Objectives – : A Deep Dive into Wants and Needs
Do your stories feel like they’re treading water? Are you finding it tricky to progress to the next plot point? Does it feel like your characters are driven by a plot that doesn’t suit them? Perhaps your character objectives need some clarity. In the realm of storytelling, character objectives are pivotal to a narrative’s success.…