Playwrights

Rebecca Ranson, the playwright who wrote “Elmatha’s Apology,” at rehearsal, First Stage, Academy Theatre, Atlanta, Georgia, September 1986.

Playwrights are individuals who craft the scripts for theatrical productions. They are the creative minds behind the stories, characters, and dialogues that come to life on stage. The term “playwright” combines the words “play,” referring to the theatrical piece, and an archaic form of “wright,” which means a maker or builder.

The role of a playwright involves not just writing the dialogue but also envisioning the setting, the actions, and sometimes the direction that actors should take during a performance. Their work is crucial in shaping the theatrical experience, providing the foundation upon which directors, actors, and designers build the final production that audiences see.