: Re: In a stage play, how should the script refer to minor characters whose names are irrelevant? Problem I'm writing a play that includes a number of minor characters who only exist for a scene

@Connie138

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Every character must have a name.

The name doesn't have to be a real name, but it needs to be something that identifies that character as unique.

In a novel, you can get away without naming characters. But a play requires casting. If you are going to have a person on stage, they need to know which lines are theirs. The director needs to know who they are and how many there are. The other actors need to know who to direct their lines or actions to.

So name them. Any of the following are fine:

Alice, Bob, and other real names.
Townsperson #1 , up to Townsperson #5 , etc.
Woman in bakery.
Man with umbrella.

I wouldn't use "prepared townsperson" and "unprepared townsperson," because they don't sound like distinct ways of referring to a character. Also they're similar in a way our eye doesn't always catch (like it would with a #1 or #2).

It also makes sense to lump minor characters together and give them numbers. So instead of having a dozen "townpersons" who never interact, maybe have:

Yoga student #1 & #2.
Cashier.
Woman walking dog.
Bakery customer #1, #2, & #3.

Just so it's clear, not terribly long, and makes it easy for the director and others to figure out who is who.

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