Writing and Staging Adventure Plays

CONTENTS

Cover

Title Page

Staging an Adventure

What Makes an Adventure Play?

Writing an Adventure Play

Getting Started

Acting in an Adventure Play

Behind the Scenes

Creating Atmosphere in Your Adventure Play

Almost There

Go for It!

Glossary

Find Out More

Index

Copyright

Back Cover

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STAGING AN ADVENTURE

Performing in a play is one of the ways people share stories with one another. Instead of reading a story in a book, audiences can watch an adventure unfold in front of them in a play, bringing the action, tension, and humor to life. People have been writing, performing, and watching plays for thousands of years because it is so enjoyable and powerful to share a story in this way.

People involved in staging a play

Most plays start with a script. A writer called a playwright creates the script, thinking about what works well on a stage. The script for a play is a different type of text than a novel, poem, or even a movie script, because the story should be designed to take place in a live performance. Although this means there are limits to what is possible in a play, it is also a very exciting way to tell an adventure story.

Peter Pan is a play full of magic and excitement.

A team of people is needed to stage a play. In addition to actors, many people are needed behind the scenes, including a director, a set designer, a costume designer, and people in charge of props, lighting, and sound. All these people have to work well together to stage a successful play. Plays can be performed in all kinds of places: in a professional theater, a community center, the school auditorium—even outdoors. Staging a play can be hard work, but it can also be extremely rewarding and fun for all those involved.