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• TYPES OF DIRECTIONS IN A PLAYWORDS HOW TO

Words of this kind will become familiar the more of Shakespeare’s plays you read. In the opening scenes of Romeo and Juliet, for example, you will find the words misadventured (i.e., unlucky), an (i.e., if), marry (an old oath “by the Virgin Mary,” which had by Shakespeare’s time become a mere interjection, like “indeed”), and soft (an interjection that means “hold,” “enough,” or “wait a minute”). Some are unfamiliar simply because we no longer use them. Shakespeare’s WordsĪs you begin to read the opening scenes of a play by Shakespeare, you may notice occasional unfamiliar words. When we are reading on our own, we must do what each actor does: go over the lines (often with a dictionary close at hand) until the puzzles are solved and the lines yield up their poetry and the characters speak in words and phrases that are, suddenly, rewarding and wonderfully memorable. In the theater, most of these difficulties are solved for us by actors who study the language and articulate it for us so that the essential meaning is heard-or, when combined with stage action, is at least felt. Most of his vocabulary is still in use, but a few of his words are no longer used, and many of his words now have meanings quite different from those they had in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. More than four hundred years of “static”-caused by changes in language and in life-intervene between his speaking and our hearing. And even those skilled in reading unusual sentence structures may have occasional trouble with Shakespeare’s words. Others, however, need to develop the skills of untangling unusual sentence structures and of recognizing and understanding poetic compressions, omissions, and wordplay. Those who have studied Latin (or even French or German or Spanish) and those who are used to reading poetry will have little difficulty understanding the language of poetic drama. Remember to be specific, use clear and concise language, include technical cues, and revise and edit your work.For many people today, reading Shakespeare’s language can be a problem-but it is a problem that can be solved. He looks around, then exits stage right.īy following these tips and examples, you can write stage directions that will bring your play to life on stage. He crosses to center stage, glancing up at the sky. JACK enters from stage left, holding an umbrella. There is a sound of thunder and lightning. Here is an example of stage directions for a short play: Ask someone else to read them and provide feedback. Read them out loud to ensure that they flow smoothly and sound natural. Tip 5: Revise and editĪfter you have written your stage directions, revise and edit them to make sure they are clear and concise. This creates a sense of immediacy and urgency that will help the actors to convey the emotions of the characters. Stage directions should be written in the present tense, even if the action is supposed to take place in the future. This will help the crew to coordinate the technical aspects of the production. Use brackets to indicate the technical cue, such as or. Stage directions should include technical cues for lighting, sound, and other effects. For example, instead of saying “the actors move to the center of the stage,” say “the actors move to the center of the stage, their faces tense with anticipation.” Tip 3: Include technical cues Use descriptive words to convey the mood and atmosphere of the scene. Use simple verbs like “sit” or “exit” instead of phrases like “sit down” or “leave the stage.” Tip 2: Be specificīe specific about the location and movement of the actors. Avoid using complex sentences or technical jargon that might confuse the actors or crew. Stage directions should be written in clear, concise language that is easy to understand. Here are some tips and examples for writing stage directions that will help your play come to life on stage: Tip 1: Use clear and concise language Stage directions help to guide the actors, directors, and crew during the play, giving cues for movement, lighting, sound, and more.

Writing stage directions for a play is an important aspect of the overall production.

TYPES OF DIRECTIONS IN A PLAYWORDS HOW TO

How to Write Stage Directions for a Play: Tips and Examples