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https://www.theartcareerproject.com/careers/playwright/

https://www.opensourceshakespeare.org/views/plays/plays.php

http://www.playbill.com/person/lin-manuel-miranda-vault-0000006865

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/writers-and-authors.htm#tab-5

https://www.broadwayworld.com/tonyawardspersoninfo.php?nomname=Andrew%20Lloyd%20Webber

https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/andrew_lloyd_webber_269500

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Playwrights and the process of what they do

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Playwrights and the process of what they do

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Lin-Manuel Miranda’s process of writing and songwriting

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Lin-Manuel Miranda’s process of writing and songwriting

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Lin-Manuel Miranda explains his tasty creative process

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A playwright is a person who creates dialogue actors perform within a theatrical context. #playwrightsmustbeverylucky

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Playwriters, or dramatists, are individuals who create dialogue actors perform within a theatrical context. The job of the playwright includes determining the play's purpose and subject matter; establishing a point of view; developing dramatic structure and creating dramatic characters. A playwriter is a prolific writer as well as an exemplary storyteller.

What Is Playwriting?

Playwriting is the art of writing a script for a play or skit. Most plays are usually performed on a stage in front of a live audience. Contrary to popular belief, a person that writes plays is not called a "playwrite", but a "playwright". The suffix -wright literally means craftsman, and it is often put on the ends of words to represent the workers that craft or create certain things. For example, wheel makers were often referred to as wheelwrights, and play writers were often referred to as playwrights.

The profession of playwriting has literally been around for centuries, although it was more popular during some eras than others. Plays were typically one of the most popular forms of entertainment in ancient Greece and during Medieval times.

Today, with the advent of many different forms of modern technology, some people may argue that playwriting is something of a dying art. True playwrights at heart, however, will never give up on their art. They see it as an artistic form of expression, and it allows them to communicate their dramatic ideas and emotions to others.

What Does a Playwright Do?

Playwrights need to have a passion and a love of writing. These individuals write scripts, which contain dialogue and actions. Writing skills and the ability to create believable dialogue are essential for this type of career.

While playwriting is similar to writing scripts for movies in many ways, it is also very different. For instance, when writing a play, a playwright must keep in mind that human actors will usually be performing his plays in a theater. This means that his creations must have some limits, and extravagant special effects, like explosions, are not always possible.

After a playwright puts the finishing touches on a new script, he must usually find someone willing to buy it. This often means sending the play to several different theaters and waiting months for replies. If the script gets sold, the play will usually be produced by the theater that bought it.

Besides writing plays, some playwrights will also be involved in the actual productions and performances. They might be needed for scripts changes, for instance, or they might play an active prole in promoting their plays. Some playwrights even act in or are theater directors for the plays that they write.

Related: How to Become a Theater Director

Playwright Education & Training Requirements

Generally speaking, there are no hard and fast requirements needed in order to pursue a playwriting career. Many playwrights, for example, are often born with basic skills and desire to write plays. Courses in drama or writing may also help aspiring playwrights develop their skills further. Many different colleges, universities, and performing arts schools offer these types of courses. Find out more about drama schools here.

Playwright Salary & Job Outlook

The salaries for playwriting careers can vary greatly, depending on a number of factors. Many individuals will find that it is very difficult to make a living with a playwriting career, for instance. Very talented individuals, on the other hand, may be able to make a decent wage writing plays. Generally, the success of a playwriting career is also determined partly on the location of the playwright. Individuals in larger cities with several theaters, for example, will usually have a better chance at a successful playwriting career.

Despite their efforts, skill, and determination, many playwrights may actually make little to no money writing plays. In fact, most playwrights will often need to have a "traditional" job in order to have money to live on.

Playwrights who are successful at selling a few of their scripts, on the other hand, may be able to make a decent annual salary. Although the Bureau of Labor Statistics does not have any hard data regarding playwriting careers, some sources suggest that it is possible to make around $38,000 annually with a successful playwriting career.

Related: Get Paid to Do What You Love: Seven Strategies to Make Money as an Artist

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Playwright | Requirements | Salary | Jobs || The Art Career Project

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Playwriters, or dramatists, are individuals who create dialogue actors perform within a theatrical context. The job of the playwright includes determining the play's purpose and subject matter; establishing a point of view; developing dramatic structure and creating dramatic characters. A playwriter is a prolific writer as well as an exemplary storyteller.

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Employment of playwrights is to show little to no change from 2018 to 2028. The lowest of playwrights is 10% or less than $31,700, and the highest is 10% or more than $121,670. #writersandauthorsweretheclosestthing

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Summary

Quick Facts: Writers and Authors
2018 Median Pay

$62,170 per year
$29.89 per hour

Writers and authors develop written content for various types of media.

Writers and authors may work anywhere they have access to a computer. Many writers and authors are self-employed.

A college degree in English, communications, or journalism is generally required for a full-time position as a writer or author. Experience gained through internships or any writing that improves skill, such as blogging, is beneficial.

The median annual wage for writers and authors was $62,170 in May 2018.

Employment of writers and authors is projected to show little or no change from 2018 to 2028. Strong competition is expected because many people are attracted to this occupation.

Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for writers and authors.

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of writers and authors with similar occupations.

Learn more about writers and authors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

Writers and authors develop content for various types of media, including advertisements; blogs; books; magazines; and movie, play, and television scripts.

Duties

Writers and authors typically do the following:

Choose subjects that interests readers

Write fiction or nonfiction scripts, biographies, and other formats

Conduct research to get factual information and authentic detail

Write advertising copy for newspapers, magazines, broadcasts, and the Internet

Present drafts to editors and clients for feedback

Work with editors and clients to shape material for publishing

Writers must establish their credibility with editors and readers through clean prose, strong research, and the use of sources and citations. Writers and authors select the material they want to use and then convey the information to readers. With help from editors, they may revise or rewrite sections, searching for the clearest language and phrasing.

Some writers and authors are self-employed or freelancers. They sell their written content to book and magazine publishers; news organizations; advertising agencies; and movie, theater, and television producers. They may be hired to complete specific short-term or recurring assignments, such as writing a newspaper column, contributing to a series of articles in a magazine, or producing an organization's newsletter.

A number of writers produce material that is published only online, such as for digital news organizations or blogs.

The following are examples of types of writers and authors:

Biographers write a thorough account of a person's life. They gather information from interviews and research about the person to accurately describe important life events.

Bloggers write posts to a Web log (blog) that may pertain to any topic or a specific field, such as fashion, news, or sports.

Content writers write about any topic of interest, unlike writers who usually specialize in a given field.

Copywriters prepare advertisements to promote the sale of a good or service. They often work with a client to produce written content, such as an advertising slogan.

Novelists write books of fiction, creating characters and plots that may be imaginary or based on real events.

Playwrights write scripts for theatrical productions. They come up with a concept, write lines for actors to say, produce stage direction for actors to follow, and suggest ideas for theatrical set design.

Screenwriters create scripts for movies and television. They may produce original stories, characters, and dialogue, or adapt a book into a movie or television script.

Speechwriters compose orations for business leaders, politicians, and others who must speak in front of an audience. Because speeches are often delivered live, speechwriters must think about audience reaction and rhetorical effect.

Writers and authors held about 123,200 jobs in 2018. The largest employers of writers and authors were as follows:

Self-employed workers

61%

Professional, scientific, and technical services

11

Information

11

Performing arts, spectator sports, and related industries

3

Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations

3

Writers and authors may work anywhere they have access to a computer.

Jobs are somewhat concentrated in major media and entertainment markets-California, New York, Texas, and Washington, DC-but improved communications and Internet capabilities allow writers and authors to work from almost anywhere. Some writers and authors prefer to work and travel to meet with publishers and clients and to do research or conduct interviews in person.

Work Schedules

Some writers and authors work part time. Most keep regular office hours, either to stay in contact with sources and editors or to set up a writing routine, but many set their own hours. Others may need to work evenings and weekends to produce something acceptable for an editor or client. Self-employed or freelance writers and authors may face the pressures of juggling multiple projects or continually looking for new work.

A college degree in English, communications, or journalism is generally required for a salaried position as a writer or author. Experience gained through internships or any writing that improves skill, such as blogging, is beneficial.

Education

A bachelor's degree is typically needed for a full-time job as a writer. Because writing skills are essential in this occupation, many employers prefer candidates who have a degree in English, communications, or journalism.

Other Work Experience

Writers and authors can get job experience by working for high school and college newspapers, magazines, radio and television stations, advertising and publishing companies, or nonprofit organizations. College theater programs offer playwrights an opportunity to have their work performed. Many magazines and newspapers also have internships for students. Interns may write stories, conduct research and interviews, and gain related experience.

Employers may prefer candidates who are able to create a visual story using tables, charts, infographics, and maps. Knowledge of computer software and editing tools that combine text with graphics, audio, video, and animation may be helpful.

In addition, anyone with Internet access can start a blog and gain writing experience. Some of this writing may lead to paid assignments regardless of education. Writers or authors can come from different backgrounds and experiences.

Training

Writers and authors typically gain writing experience through on-the-job training. They may practice and work with more experienced writers and editors before their writing is ready for publication.

Writers may need formal training or experience related to a particular topic that they want to write about.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Some associations offer certifications for writers and authors. Certification can show competence and professionalism, making candidates more attractive to employers. For example, the American Grant Writers' Association (AGWA) offers the Certified Grant Writer® credential.

Certification may increase opportunities for advancement.

Advancement

Writers and authors can get a start by putting their name on their work when writing for small businesses, local newspapers, advertising agencies, and nonprofit organizations. However, opportunities for advancement within these organizations may be limited.

Writers and authors may advance their careers by building a reputation, taking on complex writing assignments, and getting published in prestigious markets and publications. Having published work that has been well received and consistently meeting deadlines are important for advancement.

Many editors begin work as writers. Those who are particularly skilled at identifying stories, correcting writing style, and interacting with writers may be interested in editing jobs.

Important Qualities

Adaptability. Writers and authors need to be able to adapt to updates in software platforms and programs, including various content management systems (CMS).

Creativity. Writers and authors must be able to develop interesting plots, characters, or ideas for new stories.

Critical-thinking skills. Writers and authors must be adept at understanding new concepts that they convey through writing.

Determination. Writers and authors must have drive and persevere to meet deadlines.

Persuasion. Writers, especially those in advertising, must be able to convince others to feel a certain way about a good or service.

Social perceptiveness. Writers and authors must understand how readers react to ideas to connect with their audience.

Writing skills.Writers and authors must be able to write clearly and effectively to convey feeling and emotion and to communicate with readers.

Median annual wages, May 2018

The median annual wage for writers and authors was $62,170 in May 2018. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $31,700, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $121,670.

In May 2018, the median annual wages for writers and authors in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Performing arts, spectator sports, and related industries

$69,430

Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations

68,430

Professional, scientific, and technical services

62,330

Information

59,580

Some writers and authors work part time. Most keep regular office hours, either to stay in contact with sources and editors or to set up a writing routine, but many set their own hours. Others may need to work evenings and weekends to produce something acceptable for an editor or client. Self-employed or freelance writers and authors may face the pressures of juggling multiple projects or continually looking for new work.

Employment of writers and authors is projected to show little or no change from 2018 to 2028.

Online publications and services are growing in number and sophistication, spurring demand for writers and authors with Web and multimedia experience. However, employment of writers and authors in the newspaper and book and periodical publication industries is projected to decline.

Some experienced writers should find work in the public relations departments of corporations and nonprofit organizations. Self-employed or freelance writers and authors may find work with newspaper, magazine, or journal publishers, and some will write books.

Job Prospects

Strong competition is expected for most job openings, given that many people are attracted to this occupation. Competition for jobs with newspapers and magazines will be particularly strong because employment in the publishing industry is projected to decline.

Writers and authors who have adapted to online and social media, and who are comfortable writing for and working with a variety of electronic and digital tools, should have an advantage in finding work. The declining costs of self-publishing and the popularity of electronic books will allow many freelance writers to have their work published.

Occupational Title

SOC Code

Employment, 2018

Projected Employment, 2028

Change, 2018-28

Employment by Industry

Percent

Numeric

Writers and authors

27-3043

123,200

123,000

0

-100
Get data

Occupational Employment Statistics (OES)

The Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area.

Projections Central

Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state's websites where these data may be retrieved.

CareerOneStop

CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.

For more information about writers and authors, visit
American Grant Writers' Association, Inc. American Society of Journalists and Authors Association of Writers & Writing Programs National Association of Science Writers Society of Professional Journalists Writers Guild of America East
Related BLS articles

Career Outlook:

O*NET
Copy Writers Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers Writers and Authors

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Quick Facts: Writers and Authors 2018 Median Pay $62,170 per year $29.89 per hour Writers and authors develop written content for various types of media. Writers and authors may work anywhere they have access to a computer. Many writers and authors are self-employed.

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Playwrights can be very similar to people who write for movies (also known as screen writers) because they are still writing a script, but playwrights have to keep in mind that these actions and words will be portrayed by a real life person on a real stage. For example explosions and very complex scene transition may not be allowed based on how complicated or difficult it is.

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Webber has made so many musical such as Phantom of the Oprea, Cats, School of Rock, and many more. Andrew has won a lot of Tony Awards (which is a award winning show for Broadway shows and writers for said Broadway shows) such as Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre for Evita, Sunset Boulevard, and School of Rock. #andrewlloydwebberwrotealotofmusicals

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From Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1968) to Cinderella (2021), his work has been consistently seen on world stages. Before the Covid pandemic hit, Lloyd Webber had shows continually running in the West End for 48 years and on Broadway for 41, with School of Rock being the first British musical to have its world premiere on Broadway. When Sunset Boulevard joined School Of Rock, Cats and Phantom of the Opera , he equalled Rodgers and Hammerstein's record of four shows running simultaneously on Broadway.

He is one of the select group of artists with EGOT status, having received an Emmy, four Grammys (including Best Contemporary Classical Composition for , an Oscar and eight Tony Awards (including the 2018 Special Tony for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre). He has also won seven Oliviers and a Golden Globe - and his honours include a Classic Brit award for Outstanding Contribution to Music, the Praemium Imperiale, the Richard Rodgers Award for Excellence in Musical Theatre, a BASCA Fellowship, and the Kennedy Center Honor.

Lloyd Webber has also co-produced his own shows, including and The Phantom Of The Opera . As a solo producer, he presented the groundbreaking Bombay Dreams, which introduced the double Oscar winning Bollywood composer AR Rahman to the Western stage. Other productions include the Olivier Award Winning Daisy Pulls It Off and , the record breaking London Palladium production of The Sound Of Music and The Wizard of Oz .

Andrew owns six London theatres, including the iconic London Palladium and Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. Over the past three years, the latter has been completely restored and renovated at a cost of over £60 million. It is one of the biggest projects ever undertaken by a private theatre owner in recent times. His mantra that every penny of profit made from his theatres is ploughed back into the buildings has meant that considerable work has been undertaken across his theatre portfolio during the pandemic, including the complete re-modelling and re-seating of the Gillian Lynne.

Lloyd Webber is passionate about the importance of musical education and diversity in the arts. The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation provides 30 performing arts scholarships every year for talented students with financial need and supports a range of projects such as the Music In Secondary School Trust and commissioning research into diversity in theatre.

Andrew Lloyd Webber was knighted in 1992 and created an honorary life peer in 1997. To mark his 70th birthday, his bestselling autobiography was published by Harper Collins in March 2018.

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He is one of the most famous playwright. He wrote at least 40 plays that we know of. Some of the plays we still preform today are: Hamlet, Macbeth (aka The Scottish play), Romeo and Juliet, and many more.

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Miranda is a well known playwright, composer, lyricist, and performer. He is most famous for his musical Hamilton, but also has made In The Heights, Bring It On: The Musical, and 21 Chump Street. He, as well as many other playwrights have stared in many of their shows, like he was Hamilton in Hamilton and Usnavi in In The Heights. #linmanuelmirandaisagoodsinger

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Playbill Vault's Today in Theatre History: January 16

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“My only responsibility as a playwright and a storyteller is to give you the time of your life in the theatre.” -Lin-Manuel Miranda

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“In the theatre we sort of do, I might do two or three key interviews and that would be it.” -Andrew Lloyd Webber

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He is an American Playwright and Screenwriter who wrote The Crucible, All My Sons, The Price, and 22 more plays. The first one was No Villain. No Villain which won the school's Avery Hopwood Award. All My Sons made his win his first Tony Award for Best Author. #arthurwrotealotofplays

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Arthur Miller - Crucible, Plays & Marilyn Monroe

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Arthur Miller is considered one of the greatest American playwrights of the 20th century. His best-known plays include ‘All My Sons,’ ‘The Crucible’ and the Pulitzer Prize-winning ‘Death of a Salesman.’

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“Everything influences playwrights. A playwright who isn't influenced is never of any use.” - Arthur Miller