what makes for a good play title?

A “good” play title usually does one of three things: creates tension, implies a question, or names a metaphor — often in very few words.  Here are strong options grouped by what kind of promise they make to an audience.

Stark / Declarative

These feel confident and inevitable — like the play already knows the truth.

• The Second Act

• After the Applause

• The Wrong Ending

• What Remains

• The Silence Before

Metaphorical (American, poetic, elastic)

These titles invite interpretation and can hold big themes.

• Glass Houses

• The Last Revival

• Dust and Electric Light

• A House Built on Water

• Fire in the Balcony

Interrogative (questions pull audiences in)

Especially effective for moral or psychological plays.

• Who Gets Forgiven?

• What Did You Expect?

• How Do We End This?

• When Did It Start?

Character-Centered (classic but durable)

Works best when the character embodies the theme.

• Mary, After

• The Many Lives of ___

• Mr. ___ Is Still Here

• ___ in the Dark

Ironic / Slightly Dangerous

Good for contemporary or subversive work.

• Nothing Happens

• A Very Small Catastrophe

• We Were Promised a Future

• This Is Not the Play

A Practical Test

A good title should:

1. Sound good said aloud by a stranger

2. Fit comfortably on a poster

3. Still make sense after the final scene

4. Not explain the play — only invite it

I’m currently working on a play about the 1920’s faith-healer Aimee Semple McPherson, who one day walked into the Pacific Ocean and disappeared.  These are titles I’m currently considering:

• Vanishing Angel

• Sinner Saint

• The Lady Vanishes

• Angel in the Radio

• The Empty Pulpit

• The Disappearance

• The Last Healing

• Proof of Life

For examples of titles I’ve decided on for past plays, see my page Plays.