Playwright Spotlight: Get to Know Chris Stiles

Welcome to "Playwright Spotlight" — your exclusive backstage pass to the creative minds crafting the incredible plays featured in our Theatrefolk catalogue. Discover the magic, quirks, and genius of the playwrights who help bring the stage to life. Let's meet one of these exceptional playwrights who offers the chance for your student performers to shine in their spotlight.

What inspired you to start writing plays specifically for high school & middle school students?

I needed plays for my students! Specifically plays heavy in female roles.

Can you share a bit about your creative process when developing plays that resonate with students?

I don’t think that much when I write, to be honest. However, I have many half written plays that probably wouldn’t resonate, which is why they’re half written.

Are there any challenges you face when writing for student performers, and how do you overcome them?

Sometimes my writing is too “old”. Usually that’s spending to work through in revisions.

What themes or messages do you aim to convey through your plays?

Though I think themes sneak through, I never intentionally write that way. I think I did once, and three weeks result was awful.

How do you balance education and fun in your scripts?

I was just going for fun. Don’t think I ever thought about education.

Can you share a memorable experience or feedback from a student performance that left an impact on you?

I once attended a performance of Hamlet, Zombie Killer of Denmark in Fayetteville, Arkansas. I traveled eight hours to go see it, and when I got there the kids in the show treated me like a rock star. During the performance everyone looked at me everyone’s something funny happened. It was surreal but cool to see my work so appreciated.

Any advice for teachers or directors looking to choose engaging and age-appropriate plays for their student performers?

It’s hard! Unless you direct a program with tons of students, there are only so many plays out there that will fit the group you have. My best success has been contacting my favorite playwrights and asking them for advice. They’ve always been responsive and giving me good ideas.

What is your favourite play you've written so far?

Definitely Hamlet, Zombie Killer of Denmark. It was so fun to write. Writing in iambic pentameter was a cool challenge. The Gravedigger scene, I think, is my most favorite thing I’ve ever written. And the play has been produced all over the world-even at a restored Shakespearean theatre in England! Doesn’t get much better than that.

Anything else you'd like students and/or directors to know about you as a playwright?

I love it when directors and student contact me about my plays. And if you are within a few hundred miles of me, I might show you to your performance of my plays!