Play Script Template

Download a template in Microsoft Word format

Click here to see a sample of a script page.

Why it's important to use a standard format for your play script.

• It makes it easier to guess how long your play will take to read or perform. With the standard playscript you can estimate one minute per page.
• Directors, juries, contest sponsors usually prefer standard formatting.

Using this template

You will need to have Microsoft Word installed on your computer. This is by far the most popular word processing program so there's a good chance you already have it installed.

Understanding word processing features

If you plan to use word processing software such as Microsoft Word to create your scripts, it's important to understand the use of tables, page breaks, document sections, headers and footers and margins. Your copy of Word probably has a help menu on the far right of the standard menu bar (usually seen at the top of the screen when you have Word up and running) that will give you information on using those features.

If you prefer to do the script formatting yourself, you'll find some excellent advice in the Playwriting Seminars web site.

Yale University Press also provides script formatting guidelines.