Theatrefolk - The Drama Teacher Resource Company

Playwriting Exercise: Chairs

Sometimes I see a picture, hear a sentence, something flashes in front of my eyes and a dramatic conversation instantly forms. It’s a moment that would come alive on the stage. This is one of those pictures. I look at it and I see the dramatic possibilities. Do you?


Playwriting Exercise: 

Write a scene in which the entire conversation takes place on stop of chairs. In fact there is a line of chairs from stage left to right and that’s the only thing the characters can step on.

  • two characters – who are they, why are they there
  • decide your environment – why are the characters on top of chairs (is it a flood like in the picture)
  • Keep it short – don’t get bogged down in the notion of making it a play, start with a moment, a conversation – just get writing.

Related Articles

Playwriting Exercise: A Month of Monologues
Playwriting Exercise: A Month of Monologues
Playwriting Exercise: Indoor Clouds
Playwriting Exercise: Indoor Clouds
Playwriting Exercise: Happy Birthday to Me
Playwriting Exercise: Happy Birthday to Me

81 Playwriting Exercises

by Lindsay Price

81 exercises that can be used to get students in the habit of writing on a regular basis.

How to Write a Play for your Students

by Lindsay Price

You’ve chosen to write a play for your students! Where do you start?

Resource Bundle - Playwriting

Use these 4 Playwriting drama teaching resources to make playwriting possible with your students. Great for warm-ups, prompts, writer's block and more!

Enjoy a Front Row Seat to Our Newsletter!

Subscribe for our exciting updates, insights, teaching resources, and new script releases. Plus, sign up now and get 4 plays and 2 lesson plans for FREE!

Theatrefolk - The Drama Teacher Resource Company
Theatrefolk is the Drama Teacher Resource Company. We are your one stop shop for Plays, Resources, and Curriculum Support - all specifically designed for High School and Middle School drama teachers.
Follow Us!
Drama Teacher Academy
Copyright © 1995-2024