Gourt > Arts > Literature > World Literature > Canadian > Authors > Playwrights (6)
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.
History
The earliest playwrights in Western literature with surviving works are Ancient Greeks with some of the earliest plays being written around the 5th century BC. These playwrights are notable as they established forms that are still relied on by modern playwrights. Notable among them are Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, and Aristophanes. More on [ Playwright ]
Playwrights :: Contemporary
Theatre :: Arts and Entertainment
RT @dknow225: Can anyone recommend playwrights tavern near New York, NY? http://bit.ly/7se9AI
tallchicknvegas (Ramona Brunswick) Mon, 07 Dec 2009 21:39:39 -0000
RT @dknow225: Can anyone recommend playwrights tavern near New York, NY? http://bit.ly/7se9AI
All programmers are playwrights and all computers are lousy actors.
nerbles (nerbles) Mon, 07 Dec 2009 21:35:46 -0000
All programmers are playwrights and all computers are lousy actors.
Have you made your plans to see CHRISTMAS BELLES @ The Boston Playwrights' Theatre yet? click for tiks!!-- http://www.companyone.org
company_one (Company One) Mon, 07 Dec 2009 21:33:46 -0000
Have you made your plans to see CHRISTMAS BELLES @ The Boston Playwrights' Theatre yet? click for tiks!!-- http://www.companyone.org
Check out 'The Black Playwrights Festival' at Eventful.com - http://is.gd/5ffk2 #EVblack1207
blackensemble (BlackEnsembleTheater) Mon, 07 Dec 2009 20:19:11 -0000
Check out 'The Black Playwrights Festival' at Eventful.com - http://is.gd/5ffk2 #EVblack1207
sees the reading of Rhiana Yazzie's ADY at the Playwrights' Center tonight.
kkautzman (Kevin Kautzman) Mon, 07 Dec 2009 20:14:04 -0000
sees the reading of Rhiana Yazzie's ADY at the Playwrights' Center tonight.
FB RT: Brillz!!!! For writers, journalists, filmmakers, screenwriters, playwrights, tv producers, etc... http://bit.ly/pCzi6
adriandukes (Adrian Dukes) Mon, 07 Dec 2009 20:09:45 -0000
FB RT: Brillz!!!! For writers, journalists, filmmakers, screenwriters, playwrights, tv producers, etc... http://bit.ly/pCzi6
Cutler, Keir - Playwright and performer of Teaching Shakespeare: A Parody and Teaching Detroit. Synopsis of each show, schedules, reviews, awards, pictures, and résumé.
Meta Description: [ Features the plays of actor/playwright Keir Cutler, author and performer of Teaching Shakespeare, Teaching Detroit and Is Shakespeare Dead? ]
Norm Foster - Canadian playwright with over two dozen plays in production, including comedies, dramas and musicals. Provides biography, synopses of plays, selected scenes, posters, theatre links and interviews.
Meta Description: [ Information about playwright Norm Foster including bio, synopses of plays, selected scenes, posters, theatre links and interviews. ]
Peera, Al-Noor - Plays, poetry, short essays, comedy sketches and short films written, directed or produced by the Toronto based author.
Ursell, Geoffrey - Playwright, novelist, and film producer. Brief biography, selected publications, and awards.
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