Stagistic Syntax
A structured text format for theatre and musical scripts. Rules and examples for implementers and plain-text writing.
Stagistic Syntax represents a theatrical script in a .stagistic text file: structure, speakers, dialogue, lyrics, stage directions, music markers and selected title-page metadata.
This reference is for people implementing the format in other tools and for writers using plain-text editors. It describes the current Stagistic reader and writer, including context-sensitive interpretation and known round-trip limits.
Choose an entry point
Section titled “Choose an entry point”| I need… | Start here |
|---|---|
| The file model and recognition rules | Format reference |
| A complete file to read or try | Complete example |
| The meaning of a particular marker | Marker reference |
Read by area
Section titled “Read by area”- Frontmatter: supported metadata fields and validation.
- Acts and scenes: heading forms with and without acts.
- Cues, dialogue and asides: speaker recognition and speech context.
- Stage directions and notes: action, character references and forced interpretation.
- Music and lyrics: music markers, Hits, lyric lines and soft breaks.
- Inline text and literals: emphasis, quoting and escapes.
For writing through the Stagistic application, use the Editor documentation. For the motivation behind the format, see Stagistic Syntax on the website.