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Playwrights on Playmaking
Paperback
ISBN13: 9781025420769
Publisher: Tradd Street Press
Published: Feb 14 2026
Pages: 332
Weight: 1.03
Height: 0.69 Width: 6.14 Depth: 9.21
Language: English
Playwrights on Playmaking is a thought-provoking collection of essays that delves into the mechanics of dramatic literature and the enduring principles of the stage. Written by Brander Matthews, one of the foremost authorities on theater during the early twentieth century, this work examines the delicate balance between literary artistry and the practical demands of theatrical production. Matthews explores how the great masters of the past-from Shakespeare to Molière-approached the challenges of storytelling, while also addressing the contemporary shifts in dramatic structure and audience expectations.
The book serves as a masterclass in dramatic theory, covering topics such as the necessity of conflict, the development of character, and the technical innovations that redefined stagecraft. Matthews argues that the playwright's primary duty is to the audience, emphasizing that a play is only truly realized through performance. With chapters dedicated to the theories of the theater and the art of acting, this volume provides invaluable perspective for students of the drama, aspiring writers, and historians of the performing arts. Through Playwrights on Playmaking, readers gain a deeper understanding of why certain stories resonate across generations and how the architecture of a play shapes its emotional impact.
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.
This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.
As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
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