Stageplay Elements
Back to Help- A stage play is usually divided into two or three ACTS, sometimes more. Each Act rounds off an arc in the play's dramatic design. Also, there are One Act plays (which of course don't require an ACT heading).
- SCENE HEADING: A single ACT can have numerous scenes, usually numbered sequentially in each ACT. Write only "Scene #" and then write an ACTION line to provide a description at the start of the scene. Further ACTION lines are used for stage direction. Traditionally, stage plays have a page at the start devoted to a SCENE SYNOPSIS as well as a description of CHARACTERS. Zhura can generate those pages when creating a PDF using information you provide in the Script Overview.
- First write the CHARACTER name and then begin typing DIALOGUE. Also, once you've established a character name, the script writer will offer you an auto-fill option the next time you type that character.
- PARENTHETICALS are used often before or in the middle of dialogue. You can use this element to indicate the character's demeanor, note to whom they are speaking, or offer some other individual character direction. Optionally, you may use a parenthetical for stage direction in place of a line of Action. Some plays are written with all direction (Scene, Stage and Character) in parentheses and you are more than welcome to do so.
- A SOUND CUE that is essential to the story can be added to the stage direction. You would not write music cues necessarily, but are allowed to if they are integral to the play.
- A TRANSITION can be used to change from one SCENE to another or one ACT to another. Typical transitions are "Blackout" or "Curtain".