Contents
Chapter 1: Before We Get Started
Learning Playwriting from Many Sources
Ten Ways to Get the Most out of This Book
Chapter 2: What Is a Ten-Minute Play?
The Ten-Minute Play: A Definition
When Did Ten-Minute Plays Begin?
Popularity of Ten-Minute Plays
Basic Rules for All Ten-Minute Plays
Chapter 3: Before Beginning Your Ten-Minute Play
As an Actor, Do I Have the Skills Necessary to Create My Own Material?
Working Internally as an Actor and as a Writer
Techniques for Dealing with Writer’s Block
After You’ve Completed the Freewriting Session
Clustering (or Webbing): Finding the Initial Core of Your Work
Starting Your Play with an Outline
Comparing Processes for Actors and Playwrights
Chapter 6: Beginning Your Ten-Minute Play
How I Start My Ten-Minute Plays
Starting a Play with an Idea, a Theme, or an Image
Intention, Objective, and Action
The Best Way to Tell Your Story: The Play’s Structure
Realizing and Developing the Story of the Play
Chapter 8: Reading the First Draft
At What Point Should You Have Someone Else Read What You’ve Written?
Selecting the Right Person to Read Your First Draft
The First Reading of Your Play
Cold Readings of Your Ten-Minute Play
Should You Be an Actor in the First Readings of Your Ten-Minute Play?
Listening to Feedback and Comments
Not Allowing Others to Rewrite Your Play
Chapter 9: Getting Your Play Out
Actors: Should You Be in the First Production of Your Play?
Chapter 10: Interviews with Playwrights of Ten-Minute Plays
Chapter 11: Interviews with Producers of Ten-Minute Plays
Chapter 12: Interviews with Publishers of Ten-Minute Plays
Chapter 13: Three Successful Ten-Minute Plays
The Popcorn Sonata, Jenny Lyn Bader
Discussion on Writing The Popcorn Sonata
The Pain in the Poetry, Glenn Alterman
Creating The Pain in the Poetry
Chapter 14: Where to Submit Your Ten-Minute Play
Publishers of Ten-Minute Plays
Chapter 15: Observations about the Ten-Minute Play
Scott C. Sickles, Artistic Director, WorkShop Theater Company, New York City
Dirk Knef, Literary Advisor, After Folsom Festival (Berlin, Germany) and others
Eduardo Arbo, Playwright, Barcelona
Playwrights: Some Key Points to Remember