Story Spine

Kenn Adams, author of The Art of Spontaneous Theatre.

Story Spine:

Beginning – establishes characters, place, time, and status quo - the world

Event – breaks the status quo (routine disrupted - world changed - crisis set in motion)

Middle – shows consequences of the event for characters and world - drives the main action

Climax – sets the resolution in motion - actions resolving the crisis

Resolution – shows how things have now changed

1. Once upon a time…

2. And every day… Beginning

3. Until one day…} Event

4. Because of that… (repeat as needed)} Middle

5. Until finally…} Climax

6. And ever since then…} Resolution