# Cut any play to 45 minutes with a script for every actor

> Each actor's script highlights their own lines plus the cue line right before, so nobody misses an entrance.

Give Claude a public-domain play and your cast, and it trims it to the length you want, keeps the big laughs and plot turns, and makes a printable script for each actor.

- Page: https://thesolocreators.com/prompts/cut-a-play-with-a-script-for-every-actor/
- Category: Upgrade your everyday
- Made for: Everyone, Coaches
- Works in: Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini
- Time: About 20 minutes
- Effort: A few steps
- Note: Use a public-domain play or one you have performing rights to. Script files need file creation turned on in Claude's settings.
- Published: 2026-10-24

## How do I shorten a play for a small cast to perform?

Give an AI the full public-domain text, your cast size and your run time, and ask it to cut the play while keeping the story and the big laughs. Claude fits best when you also want one printable script per actor, since it can make the files for you. ChatGPT or Gemini work well for the cut list and a doubling plan you then paste into your own document. Always read the cut list before you print anything.

## The prompt

Fill in the parts in [square brackets], or leave them and the AI will ask you for them.

```text
I'm putting on [PLAY TITLE, e.g. A Midsummer Night's Dream] with friends for [THE OCCASION, e.g. a backyard birthday party]. The full text is attached. We have [CAST SIZE, e.g. 9 people] and want it to run about [RUN TIME, e.g. 45 minutes].

1. Cut the play to that length. Keep every line that's needed to follow the story and the lines that get the biggest laughs. Cut long speeches down rather than dropping whole scenes when you can.
2. Show me a short cut list by scene: what you removed, what you kept, and the estimated minutes per scene.
3. Suggest how to double up roles so our cast covers every part, and flag any quick costume changes.
4. Once I approve the cut, make one script file per actor. Highlight that actor's lines and show the line just before each one in bold as their cue.

Only use the attached text. Ask me before cutting anything you think is a favorite moment.
```

## Step by step

1. Download the full play text from a free public-domain library like Project Gutenberg.
2. Open Claude, attach the text, and paste the prompt with your run time and cast filled in.
3. Read the cut list and tell Claude which scenes or jokes to put back.
4. Ask for one PDF script per actor, then download and print or email them.

## What you'll get

A scene-by-scene cut list with timings, a doubling plan for your cast, and one printable script per actor with their lines and cues marked.

## Good to know

**How do I shorten a play for a small cast to perform?** Give an AI the full public-domain text, your cast size and your run time, and ask it to cut the play while keeping the story and the big laughs. Claude fits best when you also want one printable script per actor, since it can make the files for you. ChatGPT or Gemini work well for the cut list and a doubling plan you then paste into your own document. Always read the cut list before you print anything.

**Which AI tools does this work in?** It works in Claude, ChatGPT and Gemini. On this page, Claude and ChatGPT open with your prompt already typed in. Use a public-domain play or one you have performing rights to. Script files need file creation turned on in Claude's settings.

**How long does it take?** About 20 minutes. It's rated "A few steps". There are 4 steps, listed above.

**What do I need before I start?** Just your details for 4 blanks: play title, the occasion, cast size and run time. You can skip any, and your AI will ask for them.

**What will I get back?** A scene-by-scene cut list with timings, a doubling plan for your cast, and one printable script per actor with their lines and cues marked.

Idea spotted on Reddit, shared by u/curious_neophyte: https://www.reddit.com/r/ClaudeAI/comments/1xc0tzw/comment/19rgnczk9w11g/. The prompt is The Solo Creators' own version.

## Go further

Ready-made skills in the Solo Creators AI Studio (https://thesolocreators.com/studio/) that fit this: TLDR (Your AI stops writing walls of text: every reply leads with the next action, numbered and skimmable); Second Brain (Give your AI a memory it reads across every project, so it finally knows your business).

From AI Use Cases and Prompts by The Solo Creators: https://thesolocreators.com/prompts/. Free to use; please link back to the page when you share it.