Playwrights on Their Craft. Role and Responsibility

This suite of books, entitled Playwrights on their Craft, brings together contemporary playwrights to debate issues surrounding dramatic writing today. Each book examines a central theme and question that have led to the playwright changing the shape of theatre. Each captures the voices of the pioneers of playwriting who are continually striving to change and challenge the rules and to push the boundaries. Each features chapters by up to eight contemporary playwrights, which seeks to provide an inter-generational, international, democratic dialogue that is alive by connecting playwrights and their ideas. In this first book in the series, we ask the important questions: can playwrights really write what they want in contemporary theatre? What are the barriers that still exist and why keep do we keep writing plays? Through each playwright's contributed chapter, the book examines the role of the playwright within the world of theatre, looking at the obstacles that need to be overcome when getting work produced; the ever-changing financial landscape; how playwrights ensure authenticity in their voice; and who exactly they write for. Each book features an introduction by Caroline Jester.