Playwriting Resources

If you've never written a play before, a great way to start is by reading other plays to become familiar with formatting and style, and to get a sense of how you might tell your own particular story. There are also a myriad of educational resources out there and your local library or bookstore should have a selection of playwriting books available.

Here are a few books to get you started:

  • Playwrights on Playwriting: From Ibsen to Ionesco

    by Toby Cole

  • The Art of Dramatic Writing

    by Lajos Egri

  • The Art and Craft of Playwriting

    by Jeffrey Hatcher

  • Playwriting, Brief and Brilliant

    by Julie Jensen

  • You Can Write a Play!

    by Milton E. Polsky

  • The Dramatists Toolkit and Solving Your Script

    by Jeffrey Sweet

  • New Playwriting Strategies

    by Paul Castagno

  • How Plays Work

    by David Edgar

*These resources have been curated from suggestions by theater study professors and professionals in the field. It is by no means exhaustive and we encourage you to research additional resources as you seek to develop your craft.*

Additional Resources and Guidelines: