Play Script Template [Free Download]

Play Script Template[Free Download]

Wedding For Three • Updated: May 04, 2024

If you are looking to write a play or stage production, then you know that it can be a challenging task to format and structure the script correctly. How do you make it look like the pros, like the plays you might have seen at Samul French. With the right template, you can make your plays stand out and look professional. However, remember your play still has to be well written, and that part is on you. In this article, we will take you through the basics of a play script template, how to download it, and how to use it.

Play Script Format

Unlike film, there is no standard format for writing plays. There are several variations, however, most plays adhere to similar formatting. The best and most beautiful play script format I have come across has been when visiting the Samuel French bookstore. Most of the plays at Samuel French are published by Dramatists Play Service. Almost any play you read is formatted like this, and I’ve been obsessed with their formatting since reading my first play. Ironically, they do have a formatting guide, although it is nothing like the plays they publish since it looks more like a film script.

What Does The Samuel French Play Formatting Look Like?

They use a serif font. I’m not sure exactly what font they use, but Times New Roman looks pretty close. It appears to have a font size of 12. They write the character’s name with a period after it, followed by the dialogue on the same line.

Here is everything you need to format the document. You can also scroll down and just download the template.

Cover: Paperback

Book Size: 5.5 x 7.75 inches

Page Margins: 0.78 inches on all sides

Play Title

Size:24 Style: Bold

Indentation: 1.18″ from left and right

Act

Font Size:12

Paragraph Spacing: 18 pt before, 12 pt after

Action

Size:12 Style: Italic

Indentation: 1.18″ before text, 0.78″ after text

Paragraph Spacing: 0 pt before, 12 pt after

Dialogue

Font :Times New Roman

Size:12

Line Spacing: Single Character name is uppercase with a period after it, followed by dialogue on the same line.

How to Use a Play Script Template?

Using this play script template is easy. We made it for Microsoft Word so it would be best if you used it with Word. We haven’t tested in Google Docs. If you’re on a Mac and using Pages let us know and we’ll make a version for Pages as well.

Once you have downloaded the play script template, open it in Word. The template will have pre-formatted sections for the various elements of a script, such as character names, dialogue, stage directions, etc.. You can start by entering the title of your play and the names of the characters. Then, you can add dialogue and stage directions as necessary. If you use the template you can easily create beautiful looking plays just like Dramatists Play Service and Samuel French.

>> Download The Free Play Script Template Inspired by Samuel French

Tips & Tricks

How do I make the character names uppercase?

If you look at the example of the format above, you can see that character names are uppercase. It’s pretty annoying to remember to hit shift on the keyboard as you type on each new line. There are two ways for this to happen somewhat automatically.

Method 1

1. In Microsoft Word go to File –> Options.

2. Click on Proofing, then on AutoCorrect Options.

3. Here you will enter your character names. Where it says Replace enter your character’s name in lowercase followed by a period. Where it says with, enter your character’s name in uppercase with a period and space after it. Make sure you click add and then OK. Here’s an example:

Now every time you type a characters name with a period after it will capitalize it. The problem with this method is that if one of your other character’s says this character’s name at the end of a sentence, it will also be capitalized. It’s not the end of the world because it doesn’t happen that often. When this happens just select the character’s name and press shift + f3 on the keyboard and it will change to lower case.

Method 2

Using this method you type your character’s names regularly in lower case and don’t worry about it. When you’re ready to change the names to uppercase this is what you do:
1. On the ribbon click on replace (ctrl + h also works).
2. Click on ‘More>>’ to open more options.
3. Check the box for ‘use wildcards’.
4. In ‘Find what’ enter: ^13(*.)

5. In ‘Replace with’ enter: ^p\1

6. Make sure your still inside the replace with box, click the ‘Format’ button, and then ‘Font’.
7. In the window that opens choose ‘All Caps’, and press OK.

8. Click ‘replace all’ and watch the magic happens.
You can also do a test to make sure everything is correct by clicking find next and the replace. It will only replace one time instead of all.

How do I make a booklet?

When you look at a play from Samuel French published by Dramatists Play Service, you probably noticed that it’s printed like a booklet. It’s as if there’s two pages on each page.

In Word it’s easier to work with single pages and to create the booklet later. When I’m done writing my play I take it to Adobe Acrobat and create the booklet there.

How do I add the play script template to Word custom templates

Want to add the play script template to your Word custom templates? This way when you create a new word document you have the option to create it based on the template. Here’s how to do it.

1. In Windows 10, copy and paste the following in the Cortana Ask me anything box, and then press Enter: %appdata%\Microsoft\Templates\ (In earlier versions of Windows, click Start > Run, and paste that in the Open box).

2. Open that file folder and copy the play script template to the folder.

3. Now when you open Word, go to New and then to Personal and you’ll see the template.