 | Playwriting: The Structure of Action, Revised and Expanded Edition by Prof. Sam Smiley
Buy new: $14.19 / Used from: $9.95 Excellent text, which goes beyond the basics for craft and inspires as well.
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 | Aristotle's Poetics (Dramabook,) by Aristotle
Buy new: $8.91 / Used from: $0.01 This classic is short and the basis of much theory for both stage and screenwriting.
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 | Playwriting In Process: Thinking and Working Theatrically by Michael Wright
Buy new: $19.95 / Used from: $5.78 Provides the ground rules for dramatic writing with innovative exercises that illustrate what thinking theatrically really means.
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 | Dramatists Sourcebook 23rd Edition: Complete Opportunities for Playwrights, Translators, Composers, Lyricists and Librettists by Theatre Communications Group
Buy new: $21.95 / Used from: $0.01 When you're ready to start submitting your works of genius. Published annually, every September.
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 | Respect for Acting by Uta Hagen
Buy new: $9.50 / Used from: $0.01 A recognized classic text for the actor. If you are writing material for actors it is critical to have a working understanding of their craft.
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 | The Director's Eye: A Comprehensive Textbook for Directors and Actors by John Ahart
Buy new: $17.13 / Used from: $5.36 Understanding what directors do will not only inform your writing but many playwrights are called upon to produce and or direct their own work.
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 | Perfect 10: Writing and Producing the 10-Minute Play by Gary Garrison
Buy new: $14.95 / Used from: $8.99 10-minute plays are a great way to hone your skill and dip your toe in the world of theater through contests, festivals and low-cost productions.
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 | Backwards & Forwards: A Technical Manual for Reading Plays by Professor Emeritus David Ball Ph.D.
Buy new: $14.40 / Used from: $10.72 Learn how to really read a play, then get out there and read as many as you can!
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 | Tragedy: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) by Adrian Poole
Buy new: $10.16 / Used from: $4.92 An excellent introduction to the meaning of tragedy and why it is important in art.
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 | The Power of the Playwright's Vision: Blueprints for the Working Writer by Gordon Farrell
Buy new: $17.95 / Used from: $15.04 A concise introduction to the many theatrical style such as tragedy, comedy, melodrama, naturalism, and absurdism with useful examples.
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 | Three Uses of the Knife: On the Nature and Purpose of Drama by David Mamet
Buy new: $9.32 / Used from: $3.25 Mamet gives his view of the uses of drama. Entertaining and thought provoking.
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 | Drama: A Pocket Anthology (Penguin Academics Series) by R. S. Gwynn
Buy new: $35.01 / Used from: $0.58 Resonably priced anthology of plays. Sort of a starter kit. Of course you must always be reading and seeing as many plays as you can.
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