To Be A Playwright - Practical Guide to the Craft Janet

In this review of To Be A Playwright readers will find a book that blends memoir and instruction into a single, practical guide for emerging dramatists. Janet Neipris offers candid accounts from a career in theater alongside targeted advice on structure, character and rehearsal, and the book's biggest asset is its clear, hands-on orientation toward the work of writing plays. For anyone serious about practicing the craft rather than only studying theory, this volume serves as a compact roadmap and source of professional perspective.

Key Features

• Memoir-meets-manual: Personal anecdotes illuminate common theatrical problems, helping readers see how theory is applied in real creative situations.
• Practical lectures: Chapters present concrete techniques and tools that aspiring playwrights can test in workshops or drafts.
• Craft focus: The text concentrates on elements like structure and character development to guide the process of shaping a dramatic work.
• Readable format: A mix of essays and lectures keeps the tone accessible for both students and self-directed writers.
• Career insight: The author shares professional perspective that helps readers anticipate production and rehearsal challenges.

Who It's For

To Be A Playwright is best for aspiring playwrights, theater students and early-career writers seeking a practical companion that ties craft instruction to lived experience. In classroom settings it can serve as a useful supplemental text where instructors want firsthand accounts alongside how-to guidance.

Writers looking for exhaustive theory or a textbook with exercises and assignments might prefer a classroom-oriented manual; this book is strongest as a reflective, practitioner-led guide rather than a curriculum of step-by-step homework.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Combines memoir and instruction to make techniques memorable and grounded in practice.
• Focuses on actionable aspects of playwriting such as structure and rehearsal awareness.
• Approachable tone suitable for both independent learners and students.

Cons

• Not a substitute for a full classroom textbook with detailed exercises and assignments.

Specifications

Title	To Be A Playwright
Series	Routledge Revivals
Author	Janet Neipris
Originally published	2005
Format	Book - memoir and how-to guide
Subject	Playwriting, craft and professional practice

Our Verdict

To Be A Playwright is a valuable choice for writers who want seminar-style insights and practical direction from a working dramatist. It offers good value for those seeking craft-focused commentary grounded in real theatrical experience, though those needing exercise-driven textbooks should pair it with classroom materials.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this book practical for beginners?
Yes. The book pairs memoir and lectures to offer concrete approaches that beginners can apply to early drafts and rehearsals.

Does it cover playwriting structure?
Yes. The author discusses structure and character development as central tools for shaping plays.

Is it a textbook with exercises?
No. It is more of a practitioner guide and reflective manual rather than a workbook of assignments.