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Playwrights on playmaking cover

Playwrights on playmaking

A collection of essays that sets out practical and theoretical principles of dramatic art, arguing that the theater rests on enduring laws and shared conventions while remaining shaped by actors, playhouses, and audiences. It discusses the economy of attention and the dramatic demand for conflict, reviews how dramatists and critics have treated technique, and surveys performance history and criticism. Individual pieces examine playwrights and novelists in relation to the stage, consider stage humor and theatrical organization, and close with personal memories and observations about actors and production.

By Brander Matthews
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About This Book

A collection of essays that sets out practical and theoretical principles of dramatic art, arguing that the theater rests on enduring laws and shared conventions while remaining shaped by actors, playhouses, and audiences. It discusses the economy of attention and the dramatic demand for conflict, reviews how dramatists and critics have treated technique, and surveys performance history and criticism. Individual pieces examine playwrights and novelists in relation to the stage, consider stage humor and theatrical organization, and close with personal memories and observations about actors and production.

About the Author

Matthews, Brander portrait

Brander Matthews

Brander Matthews (1852-1929) was an American author, critic, and educator, recognized for his contributions to American literature and theater. He served as a professor of dramatic literature at Columbia University, where he influenced a generation of writers and playwrights. Matthews is known for his insightful essays on the theater, including "A Book About the Theater," which explores the art and craft of playwriting. His works often reflect a keen understanding of language and culture, as seen in titles like "Americanisms and Briticisms" and "Parts of Speech: Essays on English." Through his diverse writings, Matthews played a significant role in shaping the discourse around American drama and storytelling.

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