The Art of the One-Act: Famous One-Act Plays




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ClassGraphic Calling all theater lovers, this study group is for you! Although never widely popular on Broadway, the one-act play has long been a staple of experimental, regional, and non-professional theater. One-act plays offer a unique opportunity for deep engagement within a shorter format, making them ideal for lively group discussion. In this study group, we’ll read eight selections from 24 Favorite One-Act Plays, Bennett Cerf and Van H. Cartmell, eds. (Doubleday), which is widely available from online booksellers and local libraries. We’ll spotlight iconic works by renowned playwrights such as Anton Chekhov, Arthur Miller, Tennessee Williams, Eugene O’Neill, and Oscar Wilde. We’ll explore the unique power of the one-act form—its intensity, brevity, and focus—and how it challenges writers, readers, and audiences. Participants will discover how a short play can leave a lasting impact through discussion of various topics, such as the playwrights’ techniques, the social and/or philosophical issues reflected in each piece, themes, dramatic structure, character development, and historical context.

Class Details

4 Session(s)
Weekly - Mon

Location
TBD

Instructor
Multiple

Tuition: 

$0.00

Email olli@northwestern.edu for more information. Send to Friend »

Schedule Information

Date(s) Class Days Times Location Instructor(s)
1/26/2026 - 2/16/2026 Weekly - Mon 01:15 PM - 03:15 PM TBD Lee Rachel Nemchek  ; Eileen Rosenfeld 

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