{"product_id":"to-be-a-playwright-practical-guide-to-the-craft-janet","title":"To Be A Playwright - Practical Guide to the Craft Janet","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMemoir-meets-manual:\u003c\/strong\u003e Personal anecdotes illuminate common theatrical problems, helping readers see how theory is applied in real creative situations.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePractical lectures:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chapters present concrete techniques and tools that aspiring playwrights can test in workshops or drafts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCraft focus:\u003c\/strong\u003e The text concentrates on elements like structure and character development to guide the process of shaping a dramatic work.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReadable format:\u003c\/strong\u003e A mix of essays and lectures keeps the tone accessible for both students and self-directed writers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCareer insight:\u003c\/strong\u003e The author shares professional perspective that helps readers anticipate production and rehearsal challenges.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWriters 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eCombines memoir and instruction to make techniques memorable and grounded in practice.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eFocuses on actionable aspects of playwriting such as structure and rehearsal awareness.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eApproachable tone suitable for both independent learners and students.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eNot a substitute for a full classroom textbook with detailed exercises and assignments.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTo Be A Playwright\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSeries\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRoutledge Revivals\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJanet Neipris\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOriginally published\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2005\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFormat\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBook - memoir and how-to guide\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSubject\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlaywriting, craft and professional practice\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this book practical for beginners?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. The book pairs memoir and lectures to offer concrete approaches that beginners can apply to early drafts and rehearsals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it cover playwriting structure?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. The author discusses structure and character development as central tools for shaping plays.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it a textbook with exercises?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. It is more of a practitioner guide and reflective manual rather than a workbook of assignments.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Janet Neipris","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48768036536539,"sku":"0367183250","price":135.94,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/61B9fO_k6rL._SL1360.jpg?v=1778649075","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/to-be-a-playwright-practical-guide-to-the-craft-janet","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}