Introduction

Introduction sets out the goals of the book: to serve as a practical technical aid for playwrights, directors and dramaturgs in the process of adapting historical material to drama. In subsequent chapters in the book, examples from plays by playwrights that the author has worked with such as Robert Schenkkan (The Kentucky Cycle and All the Way), Lisa Loomer (Roe) and Nancy Keystone (Apollo) are used to show aspects of the dramaturgical process such as finding key events, framing the story, constructing plots and selecting characters. The English history plays and Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare are also used as examples of historical adaptation techniques. In addition, issues of diversity, equity and inclusion as well as the relevance of historical material to contemporary times are explored. The research process of finding key texts and sources and the process of literary development is also described.