There’s no question.  The most dramatic show on or off Broadway is this year’s presidential election.  It’s absolutely Shakespearean! 

I asked a famous playwright the other day what they thought about what was going on, and they said, “I write made-up stories for a living . . . and I never could have come up with this!”

I’ve been following it daily hourly, like hundreds and hundreds of millions of other people . . . which got me to think . . . what could we learn from this real-life story to help us create gripping made-up stories for the stage?

Here are a few things I was reminded of to make sure I’ve got in my next show:

1. HIGH STAKES

Not every story can be about the contest for the most powerful position in the free world. But what can we do to make the stakes feel that high in our Hero’s world?  I try to challenge myself to make every story life-or-death – even if they are not life-or-death. How can they feel like life-or-death for our hero, even if it’s a comedy?  Les Miz is actual life-or-death . . . but the Authors of Avenue Q or Shucked made it feel life-or-death for those protagonists in their much tinier world (which isn’t so tiny to those protagonists).

2.  IT’S A RACE . . . WITH A CLOCK AND SOMETHING ELSE

Elections are actually called “races.”  There is a finish line . . . Election Day.  On that day (or shortly thereafter), there will be a winner (regardless of whether or not someone whines about losing).  

What can we do to make it feel like our hero is running (not walking) towards a finish line – and how can we make it clear that there is a win or a loss?  

Contests are exciting.  Audiences love watching games where they wonder who is going to win . . . even when deep down they know who is going to win.  Which brings me to . . .

3.  SURPRISE!

Look what has happened in the last four weeks!  We’ve had the debate heard ‘round the world, an assassination attempt, an incumbent President dropping out of a race, and now the first Black woman and first Asian American to lead the ticket of a major political party.

Could you have predicted ONE of these a month ago?  

Call it twists and turns . . . call it surprise . . . call it whatever, but in the theater we have to keep our audiences on their toes.  

4.  JUST WHEN IT CAN’T GET MORE DRAMATIC . . .

. . . you should make it more dramatic.

Heroes overcome obstacles.  That is their job.  And we like watching them do it. So keep throwing stuff in their way . . . in the same way that things keep popping up in this election.  And we’re still over three months away from that finish line!  I’ve literally heard people say, “What’s going to happen next?”

That’s what we want our audiences to feel . . . and when we get them to feel that way . . . don’t let up!  Throw something else at ‘em!  

Hopefully this election will settle a bit . . . but your story should never settle.

Shakespeare took most of his most dramatic stories from real life events . . . and sometimes politics.  (Julius Caesar, anyone?)  And I’d imagine someone is going to write a play about this election too.

But what can you learn from this real life event to make your existing play or musical even more gripping?

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Got a comment on this article?  I want to hear it!  I write these articles because I believe the world is a better place if there is more theater in it.  And there is only more theater in the world if we’re talking about how to make more theater and better there.

And your comment will help!