Email us questions at dypf@delawaretheatre.org. We'll pick one each week that the DYPF staff will answer ( Question of the Week). The others we will hand over to our DYPF Student Experts. They will answer as many as they can. Our Student Experts are: Hilde Alexander, 2007 Middle School Finalist
Joshua Guessford, 2008 High School Finalist
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posted Oct 14, 2008 9:12 AM by Unknown user
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updated Oct 14, 2008 9:14 AM
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Question asked by a student from Ursuline Academy
ANSWER #1 (from Hilde
Alexander)
Every writer has their own
tricks and habits when it comes to writing an ending, but don't worry... this
is a normal problem to have. One of my
favorite ways to find a good conclusion to my story is to get to know my plot
really, really well. What's the conflict,
or main problem the character has to deal with? And where might you put a
climax, the biggest action of the play? Once you can answer those questions, the end of your play might be
sitting right in front of you — when your character solves their conflict, you
have a resolution!
Still,
some stories get really stuck when it comes to ending. Try free-writing an ending – just write
without really thinking. See if you
like what comes out. There are a lot of
other methods you can also try. One of
the biggest aspects of writing is editing, editing, editing. See what sorts of alternate endings you find
hidden in your story. |
posted Oct 8, 2008 10:06 AM by Unknown user
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updated Oct 8, 2008 10:07 AM
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Question asked by a student from Newark High
School
ANSWER #1 (from Joshua
Guessford)
Scenes always vary in
length, content, and time. The most important thing to remember when dividing
the play up into scenes, is that you are attempting to tell a story. So,
remember to tell or show the audience as much of the whole story that you can
in each scene. Then, it is fitting to end a scene when there is a change in
place or time. So, once you feel you have told enough of the story, or you are
ready to smoothly transition to another event of the play, you can change
scenes. In my play, a scene ranged from three to five pages. But this may be
completely different for your play, based on the story you're telling, and how
much of it you tell with each scene.
ANSWER #2 (from Hilde
Alexander)
There's
no one answer to that. Think of a movie – some scenes are short, others are
long. It depends on what you want to get across in the scene you're writing. Is
there going to be a lot of development or complex action in the part of the
play you're working on? That might be a longer scene than an encounter on a
street corner where one character is rushing to catch an airplane and the other
is going for a run. Work with each scene and see what feels right for your
ideas. |
posted Oct 8, 2008 10:04 AM by Unknown user
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updated Oct 8, 2008 10:05 AM
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Question asked by a student from
Hanby Middle School
ANSWER #1 (from Hilde
Alexander)
No. However, if your play is
selected, trust me, there won't be any time for you to be acting. You'd be very
involved in the production of your play, taking part in everything from the
casting (though the director does have the final word on that) to the revising
of your script, to even giving your suggestions and ideas to the directors.
After almost every rehearsal (at least up until the last couple of weeks),
you'll be taking home your script and revising it. It's almost like you become
every character, every moment, of your play, and your job it to make it as
genuine and real as possible.
Remember, though, if your
play isn't one of the selected finalists, you can audition for the plays that
are selected!
ANSWER #2 (from Joshua
Guessford)
While
it may seem really awesome to perform in your own play, you can't be in it.
With this writing process, it is all about you being the playwright and working
to create a masterpiece. So, instead, they ask professionals to take on the
roles of the characters you create. Which is all really more enjoyable. Each
time the actors perform your piece, you get to see the progression of not only
their work, but your words and the characters you've created. Then, after a
long and adventurous journey, you just get to sit back and enjoy your show with
the audience. This is a great reward! |
posted Oct 1, 2008 6:41 AM by Unknown user
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updated Oct 1, 2008 6:48 AM
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Question asked by a student from Hanby Middle School
ANSWER #1 (from Johsua Guessford) This stage of the writing process can be very tough.
So, the best advice I can give you is to just brainstorm. Try laying out all of
your options. Start thinking of where you want all of the action to take place, and start creating a general
flow of what you want to happen in the play. When I got stuck on this part of
the writing process, I had to think about what I wanted my play to say, and
which events would take place, to make sure my play sent that message. So, one
option you have is to create a mock storyboard, and mark off the general flow
of how you want the play to carry out. Basically, what big events do you want
to occur in your play? Once you figure this out, write them all down in the
order that works best.
(Play Begins --> Event --> Event --> Event
--> Event --> Closing)
You
can use a similar type of chart, to make your ideas flow. If you get stuck and
aren't sure what happens next, this is when you tap into your creativity and
think of what previous event would have triggered the next. Overall, you're
just breaking down the basic idea you have for your play, into a series of
events, which you may decide to break into your separate scenes. Once you're
ready, you will need to go even farther and then start marking out what is
happening in each of these scenes. Just try different ways of organizing your
thoughts and brainstorming, and find out what works best for you!
ANSWER #2 (from Hilde Alexander)
There’s no correct way to go about putting your
ideas into a play. You’ve found a story you can associate with, and that’s
great. Just getting those seeds of a story planted in your mind is one of the
hardest steps. There are a lot of ways to take the next step, and every writer
has their own methods. For prewriting, I like to brainstorm – just let ideas
fall onto a sheet of paper until I find one that seems good. Before I start
brainstorming and prewriting, I figure out exactly what it is I need. Is it a good
strong character? Or an interesting plot? Sometimes it helps to think of a
climax and work your way out. Maybe it’ll help you to think of what conflicts
your character will have to overcome. Is his only conflict convincing his mom
that he really is meant to play football? Or is there an exterior conflict,
like a game he needs to win? Just think through your play, get a feel for where
you want it to go – this story is in your mind, just waiting to be set free. |
posted Sep 22, 2008 12:42 PM by Unknown user
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updated Sep 23, 2008 6:36 AM
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Question asked by a student from Selbyville Middle School
ANSWER #1 (from Hilde Alexander)
There's no one right way to do things -- this is your play. A narrator is a fine
idea, if you feel you can work that into a script smoothly. Another idea is to
have a character, maybe a friend of your deaf character, who translates. If that
doesn't fit into your play... well, it's your play. Experiment. In your feedback
after the first draft, the literary committee will comment on if they think your method will
work. And if your play is selected, you can try all sorts of things in the
rehearsal process.
ANSWER #2 (from Joshua Guessford)
In playwriting the sky truly is the limit! There is no right or wrong answer, and you have the freedom and power to let your mind do whatever you please! Your goal as a playwright is to present the audience with something enjoyable, and most importantly, to have fun with it! Allow yourself to make the decision you think will be best.
But, do realize that this is not "Who Wants to be A Millionaire?," so there is no "final answer!" There is always room for improvement, and your product is never really finished, so you don't have to seal the deal right away! You may add one element to your play, such as a narrator, or whatever solution you come up with, but as you continue writing your play, you may change this! And trust me, it will happen.
So, right now, the most important thing to remember is to let your creative juices flow, and look at all your options! This is your play, and so whatever you decide is what's best!
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posted Sep 22, 2008 12:36 PM by Unknown user
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updated Sep 23, 2008 6:37 AM
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Question asked by a student from Selbyville Middle School
ANSWER #1 (from Joshua Guessford)
This is a question, that I am sure many of the Festival's playwrights have! While it seems that money would be a really awesome prize, the Finalists will not be receiving any money. Don't be disheartened though, because this is not to say that they won't be winning anything! From my experience, I can tell you that the rewards you will gain from the entire process have more value in themselves, than any amount of money! Your hard work will pay off!
The Finalists will get a chance to work alongside their own personal team of experienced and talented theatre professionals - including, but not limited to, a director, an acting team, technical crew, dramaturge, set designers, and many more! Secondly, the winners will be gaining tons of experience! I'm not sure about you, but being a former Finalist, I don't know many other people my age who have had such an engaging and exciting experience! You get to not only watch, but actively participate in the process of YOUR PLAY growing and transforming from ideas formulated in your brain, to words flowing from the mouths and bodies of the actors on the stage! What other people do you know who have such an experience, and are still in high school?
And this isn't even everything that comes with the deal! There's so much more to gain from this program! So, like I said, your hard work will pay off!
ANSWER #2 (from Hilde Alexander)
Not to sound too cheesy, but mostly what you win is a great experience and a
chance to learn a lot. While there's no cash prize, your play will be staged at
no expense to you. Trust me, that doesn't happen in real life. There's also a
huge amount of honor in being a finalist. You spend time [working with a] director and editing,
making your play the best it can be, and meanwhile you're totally respected and
acknowledged as the final word on everything having to do with your play. In my
time with the DYPF, I learned so much about working with others, writing, and
producing -- not to mention, seeing people cheering and applauding for my play at
the end of it all was worth more than any amount of cash.
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