Playwriting with Purpose: A Guide and Workbook for New Playwrights, Second Edition provides a revised and greatly expanded holistic approach to playwriting from an award-winning playwright and professor.

This book incorporates craft lessons, scenes for study, and concrete guidance in both the art and business of playwriting. The author takes readers through the entire creative process, from creating characters and writing dialogue to revising and producing your play. Each chapter includes incisive craft lessons, provocative writing prompts, examples from plays, tips from working artists, reading recommendations, and more. Thoroughly revised, new features to this edition include:

• Vastly expanded sections on structure, world building, business of playwriting, writing for television and film, and more


• New writing exercises and pro tips from working playwrights in each chapter


• An exploration of art and craft through a new selection of international plays


• Shorter chapters with more subject headings to make it easier to find the exact craft lesson or writing prompt you want when you want it

Playwriting with Purpose gives writers and students the tools to succeed in today’s theater industry.