Writing Your First Play, 2nd Edition

5

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Three-Character Conflict

Exercise 5 • Three-Character Conflict

Write a scene that places three characters in a situation of modulated conflict. Write the scene using correct stage terminology, with dialogue as needed, and bring the scene to a resolution. Minimum length: 5-6 pages.

Adding a third character to conflict is like adding a joker to a card game: The possible outcomes multiply dramatically. Mathematics plays a part. Let’s say you have two characters (for our purposes, James and Trish), only four basic configurations are possible to express their feelings toward each other.

1. They like each other.
2. They dislike each other.
3. Trish likes James, but James dislikes Trish.
4. James likes Trish, but Trish dislikes ...