Five Minute Play Festival

For our final project of Theater 1, each student will write a play.

The play will have 2 or 3 characters and be 5 minutes long.

Students and professional actors will videotape the plays.

Our final product will be edited professionally for us all to enjoy at the end of the project!

Assignments will be posted on Monday by 8:30am each week in our Google Classroom and will be due Fridays at noon. If you need more time please email Ms. Libby at linda.libby@bayfrontcharter.com.

Deadlines

First Draft Due May 1

Last Draft Due May 8

Video Rehearsal Submitted May 15

Video Final Cut Submitted May 22

What we will do:

We will use exercises to develop your play. You can find exercises here and on our Theater 1 Google Classroom Check back whenever you get stuck. Something we did early in the process could be just what you need when you make your final revisions.

Google Docs

Create 2 Separate Google Docs for this project.

Name the first document YourNameExercises - for example LindaLibbyExercises

Name the second document YourName5MinPlay - for example LindaLibby5MinPlay

Share both Google docs with Ms. Libby. Make sure to allow Ms Libby to edit your doc. linda.libby@bayfrontcharter.com.

You will be sharing your play with others later in the process.

Writing your play

Type or write you play neatly. Use correct playwriting format. (scroll down for format guide)
2-3 Characters No more than 3 characters appear in the play. The characters may talk about other characters but we only see 2 or 3. Make your characters original. If your play is based on real people, change the names so the characters can act differently than the people who inspired you.
5 Minutes - The performed play should run as close to 5 minutes as possible. Read the play out loud to time it.
Keep the action of each play in one setting. You may put your characters inside a car or in a bathroom or on a window ledge but please keep them in one time and place. We will record your play so choose a setting that is available to you.
Complete drafts by deadlines. If you need more time then please let Ms Libby know as soon as possible. We have a professional editor working with us to put our final product together so deadlines are set to allow the time we need to make your play look fantastic!.
Create a play that you would want to see! Create characters that actors would be excited to play! If you like the play then the audience is more likely to enjoy it too!
Online meetings. We will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays online. If you miss an online meeting or would like to meet with me - just send me an email and we will find a good time to do that. I am very flexible!
You will act in your own play. As you write, consider who else could be available to play a part in your play. We would like to have you make a video of your play which could be done online or with someone sheltering in place with you. We will do a second video online with professional actors.
Design your Costumes and Set Dressing. Use stage directions to communicate what characters do, what they look like, and what they need for the setting around them. Include your choices in stage directions and when you describe your setting in the beginning of the play.

You will work with other groups to help improve their performances. Use these guidelines as you give feedback to others:

Help them show and tell the story of the play.
Watch the play from the audience’s view and give constructive feedback.
Identify and help to solve problems that the play presents.
Listen to the artists and encourage them in the way that helps them succeed.
Communicate any special needs to Ms. Libby.

Extra Credit

Once you finish your play, it is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you submit your play to the California Young Playwrights Contest. Directions to submit your play are at this link. Remember! A play from Bayfront has already been a winner so we could be going to see YOUR play next year! Here's the link with information on how to submit your completed play.

When you submit your play, include Ms Libby on your email. linda.libby@bayfrontcharter.com and that's how you get your extra credit!

Sources & Ideas

The videos and texts below may help you come up with ideas for your play.

"Downward Facing Dog" by Ms. Libby

Video of Car Plays at the La Jolla Playhouse

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRtB9FZfavs

Radar LA - a brief video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TMXuadzz1A

Moving Arts

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGoLmKQJw9I

Tools of the Playwright

Format Guide

The purpose of play format is to make your script easy for actors to read. When actors can focus on their words, the play comes alive. Use correct format to protect your play and give hints about what you see and hear in your imagination. There are several play formats. Here is the one we will use.

Title - Scene 1

By, Your Name

Characters: List Main Character first. Include a brief description of each character.

Setting: Time

Place

At rise: What is happening when the play begins.

CHARACTER NAME

(how the line is said - optional)

Each line of dialogue starts at the left margin and goes to the right margin. You may add short stage directions that describe the action on stage in the middle of the line. For example, (BOB sits on the bench, sighs.)

SECOND CHARACTER

Continue dialogue. Write in the way the characters speak - not necessarily in complete sentences.

You may add (pause) pauses by using a stage direction.

(Longer stage directions that tell what is happening on

stage are written like this, tabbed to start at the middle of

the page. This helps actors to see what they would be doing

and also shows that this is not something that is spoken.

Use a longer stage direction like this if a new character

enters the scene or a lot of action happens without dialogue. You may tell what is happening in the scene here but

remember to REVEAL that information through actions and

dialogue. Audiences will not hear what you write in stage

directions.)

When the setting changes, you have started a new scene. Each new scene should start on a new page and include the Title, Scene number, Characters, Setting and At rise for that scene.