ACT & SCENE Designations

THE PLAYWRITING SEMINARS > FORMAT > FORMAT EXAMPLE > ACTS

Each ACT or SCENE begins at the top of a new page of the manuscript. These designations appear only on the first page of dialogue of each Act or Scene. Scene designations are only used if your play is structured in a series of formal scenes.

								I-1

				ACT I

				SCENE 1

				(A courtyard.  Joan and Larkin
				surrounded by a pool of light, Joan

• Acts are usually designated by Roman numerals or with the number spelled out: ACT II or ACT TWO

• Numerals tend to be saved for scenes: SCENE 2