A playwright, also known as a dramatist, is someone who writes dramatic literature or drama. These works may be written specifically to be performed by actors or they may be closet dramas or literary works written using dramatic forms but not meant for performance. The term is not a variant spelling of playwrite, but something quite distinct: the word wright is an archaic English term for a craftsman or builder (as in a wheelwright or cartwright). Hence the prefix and the suffix combine to indicate someone who crafts plays. The homophone with write is in this case coincidental.
The term 'playwright' appears to have been coined by Ben Jonson (see his Epigram 49, 'To Playwright') as an insult, to imply an inferior hack-writer for the theatre. He always described himself as a poet. It later lost this negative connotation.
On line Scripts :: Contemporary

Adamson, Samuel - Information on the plays of Samuel Adamson.
Agans, David J. - Playwright and lyricist: Theatrical works for professional, community and school companies. Biography and summaries of shows.
Anzia, Lys - New and developing work by dramatist Lys Anzia, who specializes in historical stagescripts.
Meta Description: [ Theatre works by American historical stage dramatist Lys Anzia, Theatre works by Lys Anzia ]
Athol Fugard- Statements - The plays of Athol Fugard with reviews and photos.
Meta Description: [ Athol Fugard Statements - the plays of the South African playwright. Reviews photos biography links ]
Barry, Raymond J. - His work in theatre and movies, as well as his paintings, sculptures and drawings.
Meta Description: [ Official website of Raymond J. Barry - Work in theatre and movies, paintings, sculptures and drawings. ]
Beeker, Jefferson - Writer of socio-political and also gay themed work.
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Berkoff, Steven - Details of his plays and adaptations such as East, Decadence, Massage and Shakespeare's Villains. His writing, his films and other links.
Berkoff, Steven - The plays and films of Steven Berkoff, with reviews, photos. Also resources for students including a number of theses available on-line.
Meta Description: [ Steven Berkoff the playwright - details and photos of his plays and films ]
Berkoff, Steven - The plays and books, contact information, and latest news.
Meta Description: [ Steven Berkoff and his work in theatre and film ]
Bettencourt, Michael - This sites offers full scripts of the short plays and one-acts and partial scripts of the full lengths.
Meta Description: [ An important engine behind the writing of playwright
Michael Bettencourt is the desire to put into play (pun intended) the decidedly liberal,
possibly even anarchic, political and social beliefs he has. ]
Betts, Torben - English dramatist.
Bird, John C. - Summary and brief descriptions of published and broadcast work, ranging from plays and television comedy material to poetry and short fiction.
Borden, William - Novelist, playwright, poet, and essayist.
Boytchev, Hristo - The official web site of the famous Bulgarian playwright.
Bragen, Andy - New York based award-winning playwright and translator. Site includes bio, synopses and play excerpts.
Brealey, Darren - Emerging Australian playwight of theatre, literature, film and television provides access to his scripts, downloads of excepts of performed plays, and his latest book, Performing The Goat.
Breeze, Anthony - Homepage of Nottingham UK playwright amp; Pittsburgh 2,000 New Play Festival finalist, Anthony Breeze
Breeze, Tony - Nottingham UK playwright, poet and children's author
Brevoort, Deborah - Award winning playwright. An alumna of New Dramatists, she is the author of The Women of Lockerbie, King Island Christmas, and others.
Meta Description: [ Deborah Brevoort is an award winning playwright. An alumna of New Dramatists, she is the author of The Women of Lockerbie, King Island Christmas, Goodbye My Island, Coyote Goes Salmon Fishing, Into the Fire, Blue Moon Over Memphis, Signs of Life, Covered Dishes, Mexico in Alaska. She currently t... ]
Buchanan, Dave - Plays and pantomimes of Dave Buchanan.
Bullock, Lawrence - Playwright, actor, and musician.
Carlsen, R.A. - R.A. Carlsen is an award winning playwright working in New York City, exploring the subtleties and power of live drama.
Celeste, Michele - Playwright, screenwriter, radiodrama writer, librettist, performance writer. Specialist dramaturg and at running writers' workshops, courses, classes. Michele writes and works both in English and Italian.
Cohen, Ian - News of productions and readings. Also, samples of the writer's work.
Coleman, Fritz - Information on the plays of Los Angeles weatherman, Fritz Coleman.
Davidsmeyer, Jo - Includes bibliography, excerpts from scripts, and upcoming theater appearances.
Meta Description: [ Bibliography and brief biography of author and playwright Jo Davidsmeyer. Includes upcoming personal appearances. ]
Deiss, Paul - Playwright welcomes commissions for children's theatre scripts. More than thirty of Paul's plays have been fully produced by professional theatres.
Meta Description: [ Musical plays for young audieces written by Paul Deiss, available for lease. All have been successfully produced by professional children's theaters. Ideal for touring theaters. ]
Dempsey, Sandra - Homepage of the award-winning playwright.
Donaghy, Tom - Biographical information, current projects, past and upcoming theater and film productions of Tom Donaghy.
Duffield, Neil - Professional playwright. Theatre scripts. Christmas shows. Children's and young people's theatre. Community plays.
Ferguson, Eric - A Strand of the Celtic Fringe - A collection of Eric Ferguson's plays, editorials, historical research, web design resume, and information for historic reenactors.
Meta Description: [ This is A Strand of the Celtic Fringe, personal site of Eric Ferguson, with play scripts, living history, opinion, and all sorts of neat stuff that's Celtic, theatrical, political, historical, and just generally worthwhile. Perhaps you came because I build web sites. www.celticfringe.com if you'r... ]
Ferrante, Bob Jude - synopses cast lists, resume, bio and current news related to playwright and instigator Bob Jude Ferrante.
Fowkes, William - News and information about the literary work of William Fowkes, playwright and author, including updates about play performances and publications, excerpts from his work, and some photos.
Meta Description: [ Official Website of William Fowkes, Playwright & Author. The Dakota: Octoberfest 2005 @ EST, DUTF 2005 @ Cherry Lane Theatre (Best Short Play). The Session: Strawberry One Act Festival 2005. ]
Fratti, Mario - Here you'll find a brief biography, a list of Mario's plays and how to order them, recent reviews, and this season's performances.
Meta Description: [ MARIO FRATTI, professor of Italian literature at Hunter College, is an internationally acclaimed playwright and drama critic. Author of such works as Suicide, The Cage, The Return, The Academy, Mafia, Races, and The Bridge, he is best known for his musical Nine (inspired by Fellini's famous film,... ]
French, David - Author of Leaving Home, Of the Fields Lately, Jitters, and other plays.
Galley, Bob - Australian playwright whose work is suitable for amateur production. Theatre Restaurant scripts a specialty.
Meta Description: [ I am an Australian playwright. ]
Gavran, Miro - Contemporary Croatian author of plays, novels, children's books.
Meta Description: [ Miro Gavran, the contemporary Croatian autor. Writes plays, novels, children's books... Winner of international literary award for 1999 as the best Central European writer of the year. ]
Godber, John - The contemporary popular English playwright and director, John Godber.
Meta Description: [ This is the official website of english contemporary playwright John Godber. ]
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Goulding, Philip - Details of original plays, including emigrant play Heading West, plus his adaptations of Hardy's Mayor of Casterbridge and Gogol's Government Inspector.
Graham, Robin - Performance poet, playwright and laughter club facilitator based in Manchester.
Meta Description: [ Robin Graham - performance poet, playwright and laughter club facilitator ]
Guralnick, June - Site of dramatist June Guralnick.
Hanagan, Jay - Features listing of plays, production history, prizes and awards.
Meta Description: [ Jay Hanagan: Playwright. Features listing of plays, production history, prizes and awards ]
Harrigan, John - FoolishPeople - Publicizes his past work and current projects.
Holder, Laurence - African-American playwright who specializes in myths and tales about some of the world's most famous entertainers, historical figures and contemporary characters.
Meta Description: [ Plays and musicals by a major African American playwright about some of the world's most famous entertainers, historical figures and others. ]
Hopgood, Alan - Bay Street Productions - Australian playwright, actor and guest speaker. Includes Alan's play, book and video about prostate cancer and men's health issues.
Hornby, Ian - Details of published play scripts of most genres available for performance anywhere in the world.
Ildan, Mehmet Murat - Award-winning contemporary Turkish playwright.
James, Joshua - Author of the plays The Men's Room and Tallboy Walkin'.
Kahn, Barbara - Biography, list of awards, production photos and catalogue of plays from the career of a New York theatre veteran.
Meta Description: [ Award-winning playwright/director/actor offers catalogue of
plays, production photos and more. ]
Kane, Sarah - Details of her plays such as Blasted, Phaedra's Love, Cleansed, Crave and 4.48 Psychosis. Reviews, photos, voting and other links.
Meta Description: [ Sarah Kane- her works in theatre and film with reviews and photos ]
Kohm, Angus - Rubbed Raw: off-the-wall comedies and musicals.
Kollmer, Jennifer - San Francisco-based playwright and screenwriter. Her work, biography, and some helpful hints.
Lahaie, Scot - About his current work as a playwright and stage director.
Leiren-Young, Mark - Information on the playwright, screenwriter, journalist, performer and insomniac.
Manitoba Association of Playwrights - A searchable catalogue of Manitoba plays and playwrights.
Martin, Maurice - Plays include Three Questions,A Hillside in Hell, and The Sound of One Hand Typing.
Mattern, Jennifer - Contact information, biography, and listing of productions and published work by playwright Jennifer Mattern.
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May, Cybele - A profile of the playwright, her work, contact information and current performances.
McNickle, Kato - Biography, photo galleries, production histories and her newest plays.
Meek, Kristina - San Diego playwright's resume, biographical information and samples of work.
Miskowski, S. P. - Homepage of award-winning dramatist based in Seattle. Features excerpts and performance dates.
Monaghan, Neil - Playwright, television, radio and screenplay writer. Contains information on previous and upcoming projects, reviews and contact details.
Meta Description: [ The Imaginary Body is a London based theatre company performing the theatre show ]
Morogiello, John - Biography, description of plays, contact information.
Morrissey, Kim - Canadian playwright and poet.
Mueller, Karen - Homepage of playwright/novelist Karen Mueller Bryson.
Mullin, Paul - New York playwright; the recipient of the Los Angeles Drama Critic's Circle Ted Schmitt Award for World Premiere of an Outstanding New Play, other awards.
Nacol, Shawn - Award-winning playwright. Script information, professional information, advice, and theater/writing links.
Meta Description: [ Homepage of award-winning playwright Shawn Nacol. Script info (synopses, monologues, sample scenes), Professional info (resume, bios, press) and theater & writing links. Plays include: psychoPharm, Drawing Monsters, Trophy Wife, Slay Belles, After Ours... ]
O'Morrison, Kevin - Lists plays, reviews, publishers, precis of unpublished work, agents for production of plays, and monologs for drama students.
Meta Description: [ Prize Winner, Prize Winning Playwright, Nightgatherers, Pinter Review Gold Medal for Drama, Mortal Business, Helen of Troy, Helen of Troy Tells What Really Happened, The Mutilators, Helen of Troym Helen of Troy Tells What Really Happened, Gold Medal for Drama, Play, Playwright, Ladyhouse Blues, ... ]
Osment, Philip - Information on British writer and director Philip Osment including biography, publications, agent and contact details.
Owen, Chris - UK based playwright, director and youth theatre (14-25) specialist. Includes support for his published plays: The Last Resort and A Mother's Voice
Meta Description: [ Homepage of writer and Director Chris Owen, specialist in theatre for Young People aged 14-25 ]
Owens, Derrell G. - Homepage of award-winning playwright Derrell G. Owens.
Penniston, Penny - Contact information, reviews and synopses of this Chicago-area playwright's work.
Perkins, Alan David - Official website of playwright, comedy writer and musician Alan David Perkins.
Phillips, Laurence - Playwright and award winning author. Details of current and past works.
Meta Description: [ A WebsiteBuilder Website ]
Pinter, Harold - The official Harold Pinter website.
Meta Description: [ The Official Harold Pinter Website ]
Plaice, Stephen - This site contains a record of the work of Stephen Plaice, UK-based writer in the areas of opera, musical theatre, TV and film; with details of forthcoming productions and some online samples of his work.
Preece, David John - Playwright and screenwriter, artist and film-maker.
Meta Description: [ David John Preece presents his creative work as an artist, film-maker, playwright and screenwriter; contact information and downloads of works available. ]
Rand, Jonathan - The official website dedicated to the works of award-winning playwright Jonathan Rand.
Meta Description: [ A website dedicated to the works of playwright Jonathan Rand ]
Rendon, Marcie - Native Writer - Enrolled member of the White Earth Anishinabe Nation, she is a mother, grandmother, writer, playwright and sometimes performance artist.
Rich, Carl - Plays and audience development marketing help by playwright Carl Rich.
Risco, Gonzalo Rodríguez - Peruvian playwright. Peruvian theater translated into English, Latin American playwriting. Links to other important theater groups in Peru.
Rittenhouse, Michele Raper - Author of Angel on my Shoulder and Heartland.
Meta Description: [ New plays about feminist issues, folkloric conventions used is some stories,
also adaptations of myths and tales from around the world. Winner of National Playwrights Conference at the Eugene
O'Neill Theatre Center, 1997. ]
Robbins, Norman - Prolific and successful pantomime writer and playwright, who has entertained audiences world-wide with his comedies and thrillers for almost fifty years.
Meta Description: [ Author biography: Norman Robbins. ]
Ryan, Kate Moira - Plays, musicals, screenplays available for production or development.
Meta Description: [ Kate Moira Ryan, Playwright, Lesbian playwrights, plays,
Playwrights, theater, women in the theater, american women in theater, women writers ]
Scott, Peter - Canadian Playwright, writes for young performers; also mediaeval plays and murder mystery dinner theatre. Performance details of English Rose, a Warbride's Story updated here.
Seaton, Sandra - Playwright and faculty member at Central Michigan University. Author of From The Diary of Sally Hemings, recreating the thoughts and feelings of Sally Hemings throughout her long relationship with Thomas Jefferson.
Sejavka, Sam - Description of plays, and details of productions.
Shamas, Laura - Information on the playwright and her plays.
Shepard, Molly Louise - Off-Off-Broadway Playwright and Screen Writer.
Shockley, Ed - Multiple award winning playwright. Biography, published works and produced plays.
Smith, Tom - Includes links to play samples, resume, bio and production history.
Smith, Tom - Script samples, summaries and production photos of the plays of Tom Smith.
Meta Description: [ The homepage for New Mexico playwright Tom Smith. The site includes script samples and photos of productions. ]
Starr, Michael - Biography, works, image gallery.
Meta Description: [ Official website for British playwright Michael Starr ]
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Sweet, Jeffrey - Website of Jeffrey Sweet, award-winning playwright of Chicago's Victory Gardens Theatre, member of Council of the Dramatist's Guild, and teacher of writing at Actors Studio.
Tait, Lance - Information about Tait's works in various theatre genres: one-acts, comedy, drama and solo performance pieces. Includes cast requirements and estimated duration of each play and where each is published.
Talesnik, Ricardo - Information about his plays, movies, solo performances and awards as well as present projects.
Thomas, Joyce Carol - Homepage of the playwright and author of books for children and adults.
Meta Description: [ Joyce Carol Thomas is an award-winning author of books for children, teens, and adults. ]
Thompson, Ernest - Official site with information about Ernest Thompson's writing, directing and acting career in theatre, television and film.
Toohey, Rosemary Frisino - Baltimore-based playwright, with her biography, selected reviews and synopses of some of her plays; lists her awards and productions of her plays.
Meta Description: [ Rosemary Frisino Toohey's home page, providing her biography, lists of plays, productions and awards along with reviews and comments ]
Trivizas, Eugene - Greek children's author Eugene Trivizas has written over 100 books and multiple plays.
Turner, Brian E. - Homepage of experimental playwright and novelist Brian E. Turner.
Meta Description: [ Brian E Turner's Plays and Novels ]
Twomey, John M. - Plays include Teachers' Lounge, Biff and Blanche, Ball and Chain, and All the City Lights.
Ulrich, Dave - A contemporary playwright living in Los Angeles. Many of his plays (short, one-act, and full length) as well as other examples of his written and produced work.
Varela, David - Writes for a variety of media, including theatre, radio, film and the Internet.
Meta Description: [ David Varela writes for a range of media, including film, theatre, radio, animation and the Internet. His clients include Microsoft, IBM, Orange, Compaq, BT, Intel, Samsung, Canon, NAI, Panasonic, Hewlett-Packard, TDK, Hitachi and Sun Microsystems. ]
Vaughan, DonnaMarie - Playwright and screenwriter.
Vemmer, Ryan - A writer of progressive/experimental theatre works, as well as film scripts and poetry. Samples of plays and other work are available here.
Venhaus, James - Biography, list of awards, production photos and catalogue of plays from playwright James Venhaus.
Veva Dianne Lawson - Dianne Lawson studied playwrighting with Edward Albee, Marsha Norman and Romulus Linney. Her play, Broken Things, about adult autism was produced in NYC by the Curan Repertory Company and was in the 2003 New York Fringe Festival.
Meta Description: [ Official website for Veva Dianne Lawson playwright. Autism, Poetry, Comedy, Edward Albee, New York Fring Festival ]
Vleugels, Hilda - Contemporary comedies in English, French and Dutch, written by Hilda Vleugels, Belgian playwright, with synopses plus description of set and characters.
Meta Description: [ Many contemporary comedies in English, French and
Dutch, written by Hilda Vleugels, Belgian playwright, with synopses plus description of set and characters. ]
Woodman, Lance - Pearson Playwright in Residence at Worcester Swan Theatre, UK. Writer of 'Red Skies Over the Severn'.
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