Conflict

All plays need conflict. Without it, you have a boring play--a total snoozefest.

What is conflict? Conflict is wanting/desiring/needing something or someone and not being able to get it. Example: I want your wallet. No, you can't have my wallet.

There are two types of conflict: External and Internal.

Internal conflict happens within a character (and often affects characters around them). Think about Tom from the Glass Menagerie. He wants to leave his family, but if he does what will happen to them? Who will take care of them? Especially Laura? If he abandons his mother and troubled sister, he'll have to live with the guilt and the regret and the sad realization that he has turned into his father.

External conflict involves a character and someone or something is physically in the way to stop he or she. Think about Hester from In the Blood. Society stops Hester from getting her 'leg up'. Maybe she isn't the best example--critics will say she doesn't really try hard enough. So, think about Mae and Eddie from Fool For Love. They can never be "together" because they are brother and sister--talk about an internal/external conflict combo. Yikes.

We go to the theater to see conflict. We want to see people having a tough time. And we want to see how those people get out of their tough time. Conflict is what makes drama...drama.