• Open Daily: 10am - 10pm
    Alley-side Pickup: 10am - 7pm

    3038 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN
    612-822-4611

Open Daily: 10am - 10pm | Alley-side Pickup: 10am - 7pm
3038 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN
612-822-4611
The Craftsmanship of the One-Act Play

The Craftsmanship of the One-Act Play

Paperback

Writing InstructionPlaywriting

ISBN10: 1025580885
ISBN13: 9781025580883
Publisher: Tradd Street Press
Published: Feb 14 2026
Pages: 418
Weight: 1.28
Height: 0.85 Width: 6.14 Depth: 9.21
Language: English
The Craftsmanship of the One-Act Play is an authoritative and comprehensive exploration of the technical and artistic elements required to master short-form drama. Percival Wilde, a renowned playwright of the early twentieth century, provides a detailed roadmap for writers seeking to understand the unique challenges and opportunities presented by the one-act format. Unlike full-length plays, the one-act play demands a specific unity of effect and an economy of means, which Wilde analyzes through the lenses of theme, characterization, and plot structure.

The work covers every aspect of the creative process, from the initial germ of an idea to the complexities of technical stagecraft. Wilde discusses the importance of exposition, the management of suspense, and the necessity of a powerful climax, supporting his theories with examples from the great dramatists of his time. By focusing on the structural integrity and emotional intensity of the form, he elevates the one-act play from a mere curtain-raiser to a significant medium of literary expression.

1 different editions

Also available

Also from

Wilde, Percival

Also in

Playwriting