Solo
The Everything Guide to Writing, Performing, and Producing Your One-Person Show

Arlene Malinowski (Author), Julie Ganey (Author)

9780810149717, Northwestern University Press

Paperback / softback, published 15 December 2025

304 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 2.8 cm, 0.481 kg

“Solo is spearheaded by two of the greatest to ever do it. An exceptional how to guide, it is friendly, funny, and bursting with craft. Malinowski and Ganey give a full scope of the history of solo theater and a path towards becoming the future of it. They don’t miss a beat. Get writing!” —Khanisha Foster, writer, actor, and director

A comprehensive guide for anyone interested in creating solo performances

The art of solo performance has exploded in the last twenty years as an immediate and accessible art form. The number of solo festivals grows every year, and artists are hungry for the opportunity to center their own voices and experiences. Solois designed to feed that hunger.

Seasoned theater educators and performers Arlene Malinowski and Julie Ganey have compiled an invaluable guide for students and practitioners alike. Topics include high-stakes narratives, compelling characters, and the role of narrators, as well as practical exercises, interviews with performers at every stage of their careers, and examples from real one-person shows. Performers will also find advice on collaborating with directors, incorporating technical elements, and producing and marketing strategies.

Whether you’re just starting out or are a seasoned professional looking to refine your show-in-progress, Solo is an essential volume for anyone ready to bring their story to life onstage.

Take the Plunge!
You Can Do It
What the Heck Do I Write About?
Getting Words on the Page
Be Accountable for Your Actions
There’
s More Than One Way to Get Where You'
re Going
Fourteen Types of Solo Shows

The Nuts, Bolts &
Buckles of Your Play
Seven Keys That Make a Solo Show Work
Your Brain'
s Got a Soft Spot
Story vs. Anecdote
The Beginning
The Middle
The End
Something at Stake
Essential Questions
Your Work is Going to Suck

People Your Play
Building Characters
Types of Narrators
Dialogue: Finding the Voice of Your Characters
Make a Scene!
Telling the Stories of Others

Making a Good Show Better
The Power of POV
Make it Multisensory
In General, Be Specific
Untangling Tenses
Universal Truth
Four Ways to Never Just Tell
Write from the Scar
Humor &
Levity
Truth vs. Accuracy

Putting it Together Bit by Bit
Who Needs Narrative Structure?
An Organizing Principle
Stitching, Knitting &
Using Narrative
Theatrical Elements
Create Some White Space

Construction &
Deconstruction
Writing &
Rewriting (Ugh)
Getting Feedback (Eeeeek)
Editing Techniques (Yikes)
How Do You Know When Your Solo Show is Done?

Rehearsing and Performing
The Great Script Debate
Acting for Solo
Bringing Characters to Life
Do I Really Need a Director?
How Will You Rehearse?
When Should the Writer Leave the Room?
Performing Your Show (Hallelujah! Finally Doing It!)
Reviews

Selling Yourself
Finding a Venue
In Solo, You Are Your Own Brand
Creating PR Materials
Press Releases &
Media Kits
Getting Butts into Seats
Fundraising for Your Show
Festivals, Fringe &
Touring
Protecting Your Work
The Ghost Light

Acknowledgements
Credits