Write your story in the form of a script, complete with stage directions.

Posted in Narrative on Jun 28, 2024

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✍️ 33 stories

“HAMLET (THE OTHER ONE)” by Darvico Ulmeli

Submitted to Contest #257

ACT ISCENE I: A GRAVEYARD AT NIGHT(The scene opens with a full moon hanging high in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the weathered gravestones. The gravestones, covered in moss and ivy, stand like silent sentinels at night. Shadows dance across the ground as the moonlight filters through the gnarled branches of ancient trees. A chilling wind whispers through the trees, rustling leaves and creating an atmosphere of melancholy and foreboding. The air is thick with damp earth and decaying leaves.)(Enter HAMLET, a young man with a troubled ex...

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“Survivors of Shakespearean Suicide” by Emily Nghiem

Submitted to Contest #257

Through the door, STAGE RIGHT, DOCTOR BACON, a university professor in his late sixties, enters his small office clinic, with a globe and lamp next to a bust of Shakespeare and stack of books on the desk, UPSTAGE CENTER. DOCTOR BACON picks up his clipboard and pen from the desk, but notices his executive chair is missing. He turns to count three PATIENTS, seated CENTER STAGE, including the culprit who has commandeered his swivel chair.LORD HAMLET, a clean-shaven man in his late thirties or early forties, seated STAGE RIGHT, is tied fast in a...

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“Is Jerry a Ghost? ” by Zoe King

Submitted to Contest #257

Narrator: Jerry was different, very different. He had a strange house and acted weird. But nobody seemed to notice that something was off about him.Scene 1Setting: Classroom.Characters: Jerry, Suzanne, Veronica, Jeff, Mrs. Roberts.Suzanne: (Whispers) There goes Jerry again.Jeff: Do you think he’s a ghost? I mean - he has pale skin.Veronica: You really think that? His ghostly features … they don’t seem real.Jeff: (Rolls eyes) Yeah, right. Those can’t possibly be fake.(Mrs. Roberts enters room and quiets class down.)Mrs. Roberts: Everybody in ...

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“Fairly Twisted Tales” by Ruth James

Submitted to Contest #257

TW: contains mentions of physical abuse The dimly lit set is of a side of a tunnel that is a mix of purples and earthy browns, it is littered with pages from books, some ripped, some crumpled, both big and small. The biggest page, that is visible to the audience, says ‘Once upon a time…’. Stage left stands a Man in dark green smoking a large cigar and looking particularly bored. Sound effect of book pages being riffled. Enter Girl stage right. She slowly walks to centre stage exploring the tunnel. Girl: Where am I? (rubs head) I must ha...

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“Labour's Lost Love- a drunken tragedy in three acts” by Michelle Oliver

Submitted to Contest #257

CW: Shakespearean bawdiness!****Act 1 ****——Scene 1——(Enter Lord FARRINGTON and Sir MONTRAY, two young lords of lofty houses, both in a drunken, rambunctious state of dishevelment and good humour.)FARRINGTONThis night have I been greatly entertained with such delightful hospitality delivered with such grace and charm and wit… (Farrington stumbles drunkenly.)MONTRAYGood faith, dear Farrington, we have been charmed, Such hospitality knoweth no bounds, Nor bonds nor aught whi...

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“LEAF BLOWER CANTATA ” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #257

ACT I-Scene 1-SETTING: A small neighborhood cafe.AT RISE: SAMMY, 30's, is seated at the central table.BEN, 30's, agitated, enters.BENYou won't believe it. I am so fed up to here.SAMMYYou're late.BENI know. Where's David?SAMMYI don't know. He's late too. Have a seat.BEN (Moves about)I'm going to file a lawsuit. They are a plague!SAMMYWho?BEN Leaf blowers! Don't you know what they are doing to this city?SAMMYLeaf blowers?BENThey kick up dust. They're ...

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“Rosencrantz and Guildenstern and Ted and Alice: An Alternate Ending” by Drew Herman

Submitted to Contest #257

Act V: Scene 1A graveyard. Elsinore castle on the horizon. Music: Gyuto Monks Tantric Choir(Enter GRAVEDIGGER and ASSISTANT, carrying shovels. The music fades.)GRAVEDIGGERHere another as died of slings. Hark ye, that maketh three this se’nnight alone, far more than e’er arrows took ’count of.ASSISTANTAye, outrageous, as hast oft proclaim’d. Yet of sling control can good Claudius hear no word, without the National Sling Association stone the sayer to death.GRAVEDIGGERAnd so be the ill cured, for as none shall speak ill of the dead, so le...

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“SIR” by Sierra Kingen

Submitted to Contest #257

SIR Act 1 Scene 1 EmmaSir EMMA and SIR are sitting at the kitchen table. Coffee is being made. Sir is reading a newspaper while Emma is staring at her thumbs. SIR: (Sighs and sets down his paper, staring at Emma)Are you going to school today? EMMA: (Looks up at him)No. SIR:Why not? EMMA: (Looks down)I am not smart enough. SIR: &n...

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“Sunday in the Park with Will” by Ed Friedman

Submitted to Contest #257

(Garret, 47 is sitting on a park bench. There is an elaborate notebook/journal at his side. He is looking at something of interest. After a few moments, Gina, 19 approaches. She watches him for a few beats then he notices her.) GarrettSo, here I am. ...

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“Trailblazer” by Carolyn O'B

Submitted to Contest #257

INT. - OLIVIA’S AND HER ROOMMATE TIM’S APARTMENT - SATURDAY EVENINGPhone rings. OLIVIA (Answers phone) Hello Jane. JANEWill you answer when I’m in a car crash and calling from a stranger’s phone? OLIVIAIf I don’t recognize the caller ID, I don’t answer. And if you’re in a car crash, I hope you have the sense to dial emergency before calling me. JANEDon’t ever let me use you as my emergency contact. Olivia huffs. JANESpeaking of emergencies, I have been summoned to Scranton. Can you stay here with Babs until Sunday? OLIVIAWell, I guess...

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“Yorick: A Tragedy in Three Acts” by George Georgerfrost@gmail.com

Submitted to Contest #257

ACT I It is several years before the great tragedy of Hamlet takes place at Elsinore between his father and his brother Claudius which results in murder and usurping of the kingdom when Claudius marries the widow Gertrude and the whole rigmarole. Before his unexpected passing, Yorick had a front row seat of all that was rotten in Denmark. l YORICK: (Soliloquy, starts seated at a table with a table of fine material covering the table. On the table is a chessboard set up for a game) Hello, come on into the chambers of ...

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“Necessary Evil” by Галина Вишнёвая

Submitted to Contest #257

Fade In:Ext. City street - day Act 1We open on a busy New York intersection. A tall blonde Black woman with a mock-up of angel wings is crossing on the pedestrian. The construction bang, gibberish, and stomping over rain puddles as backg...

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“Hamlet and Referee” by Michael Lane

Submitted to Contest #257

1748- 'Word' Wordcount. HAMLET AND REFEREE SCENE ONE: INT. A TRADITIONAL PRODUCTION OF 'HAMLET', BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, IS UNDERWAY. WITHIN THE PLAY INT. NIGHT. BACKGROUND IS 'CASTLE BATTLEMENTS'. Enter HAMLET. Dressed in black, at back of stage. He carries a skull. We feel the actor, glorying in the role. His big chance to score with the audience. He moves forwards as he speaks, addressing the skull, as well as the audience. HAMLET:To be or not to be - That is the question.Whether it is nobler in the mind to suffer FX. A Wh...

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“Donovan the Pine” by Grayden McIntyre

Submitted to Contest #257

CAST OF CHARACTERS Donovan…………………………….…The middle pine. Adult man stands on a chair. He’s like if an annoying child knew big words. Medium height, messy hair, beady eyes but not beady enough to deflect the audience’s pity. Jeffrey…………………………………A tree who is leader of the Bark Brigade. Short and stout. Gruff mustache. Gruff eyebrows. The square jaw of a true American. Optional southern accent. Connie………………………………..A tree who is the psychiatreest. Old gal. Glasses. Optional Michigan accent. Lance…………………………………..A tree who dies immediately. Hope i...

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“The Gift” by Irene Oh

Submitted to Contest #257

The Gift (CHARLOTTE, 34 years old, is a white, middle-class woman. She is lying on her sofa, watching the TV in her pajamas with her hair in a messy bun. JAMES, 38 years old, is her husband. He is wearing a suit and has luggage with him.) JAMESI should go now. CHARLOTTE (without looking up)Go, where? I already bought groceries yesterday. JAMESHuh? No I— CHARLOTTE I dressed comfortably and wore no makeup because I didn’t think I’ll see anyone I know. But guess what. I ran into Bernice! I was so embarr...

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Write your story in the form of a script, complete with stage directions.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 33 stories

“HAMLET (THE OTHER ONE)” by Darvico Ulmeli

“Survivors of Shakespearean Suicide” by Emily Nghiem

“Is Jerry a Ghost? ” by Zoe King

“Fairly Twisted Tales” by Ruth James

“Labour's Lost Love- a drunken tragedy in three acts” by Michelle Oliver

“LEAF BLOWER CANTATA ” by John K Adams

“Rosencrantz and Guildenstern and Ted and Alice: An Alternate Ending” by Drew Herman

“SIR” by Sierra Kingen

“Sunday in the Park with Will” by Ed Friedman

“Trailblazer” by Carolyn O'B

“Yorick: A Tragedy in Three Acts” by George Georgerfrost@gmail.com

“Necessary Evil” by Галина Вишнёвая

“Hamlet and Referee” by Michael Lane

“Donovan the Pine” by Grayden McIntyre

“The Gift” by Irene Oh

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a story named after, and inspired by, one of Shakespeare's plays. Think modern retellings, metanarratives, subversions, etc.

Write a story in which a case of mistaken identity plays a pivotal role.

Write a story about a tragic hero.

Set your story during rehearsals for a production of a Shakespeare play.

Contest #257

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

213

Contest entries

79

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: