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How to Cut a Play Script for Time
Your quick reference guide to getting the most story in the least amount of time.
When I was in high school, my drama department participated in yearly one-act show competitions. The concept was simple; take a show and perform it in front of a panel of judges to win trophies for your department.
The catch was that these shows needed to be less than 55 minutes long on the dot or you would be completely disqualified, and even the most simple one-act plays are usually designed to run an hour or longer. On top of that, my drama teacher liked for us to perform full-length plays with recognizable names. So, we spent a decent chunk of time cutting shows down for time.
What annoyed me was that often, when we did this, important parts of the story would be removed, and the remaining show wouldn’t make any sense. Characters would appear that had their subplot removed, making their part unnecessary. Entire scenes would move so fast that the show felt rushed and choppy rather than like an actual show.
So how do you cut a play script without breaking the pacing and storyline? Here’s my advice as a writer and as an actress.
Preserving the Story
The most important part of cutting a play script is preserving the story that’s being told. In this instance, you’re not a writer; you don’t get to decide what the plot is and what the characters say. You’re an editor — it’s your job to help the plot advance in the most efficient and effective way possible.
If the cuts you’re making completely change the show that your audience is about to see, you need to start marketing the performances as an “homage to” rather than an “adaptation of.” There’s nothing wrong with reinterpreting a show into something new, but there is something wrong with telling your audience they’re going to see a show that they aren’t.
That being said, if you’re changing the story that much, you’ll probably run into issues with your licensing to perform it. Remember, you’re paying to use someone else’s words; if you’re changing those words drastically, you’re breaking your contract. Check your performance agreement before you make any major cuts.
