Playwright Discovery Award Teacher's Guide - The John F. Kennedy ...

DRAMATURGY EXERCISE 1: Uncover and Enhance
Conflict and Suspense
PART 1 Identify the Wants and Obstacles
For this exercise, take a scene or dramatic writing exercise from the Igniting the Imagination section.
First, identify what each character wants in a particular scene or moment. There may be many moments
to the scene. If so, consider the want that is present throughout most of the scene. Characters often want
information (where is the treasure hidden), an object (where is the treasure map), or assistance (help me
find the treasure). If a character does not have a want, work with the writer to discover what that want or
need could be.
A. What the character named ____________ wants is__________________.
Second, identify the obstacle; that is, the person, thing, or situation that prevents the character from
achieving what he or she wants in a particular scene or moment. There may be many moments to the
scene. If so, consider the want that is present throughout most of the scene. If a character does not confront
an obstacle, work with the writer to discover what that obstacle could be and then explore ways to
introduce this element to the scene.
B. The obstacle the character _____ confronts | battles | tackles is __________________.
Repeat the questions for each character.
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42 ACT III: DRAMATURGY