"For me, a play is a form of writing which isn't complete until it is interpreted by actors. But it's still a form of writing. And so most of my time is spent thinking about how to write a sentence"

Wallace Shawn's quote explores the complexities of playwriting, using a peek into the double nature of a play as both a composed and performed art kind. Shawn starts by highlighting the transformative journey of a play. While it exists as a composed document initially, it achieves its full capacity just when translated by stars on phase. This highlights the unique quality of plays: unlike books or poems, they are naturally collective and dynamic, depending on stars to bring the text to life. This efficiency element breathes vigor into the written word, developing a living dialogue in between the text and its audience.

Despite this performative focus, Shawn stresses that a play is basically a form of composing. This assertion might seem paradoxical provided the collaborative nature of theater, however it stresses the value of the playwright's craft. The foundation of any play is meticulously built sentences and dialogues that communicate character, plot, and feeling. For Shawn, the labor of playwriting lives deeply in the building of these sentences. Each line must be crafted not just for visual or acoustic appeal but for its capacity to evoke meaning and emotion when spoken aloud.

The reference of "considering how to write a sentence" exposes Shawn's devotion to the precision and subtlety of language. Every sentence in a play need to be deliberate, capable of bearing the weight of the star's analysis and the examination of an audience. This thoughtful technique suggests that even in such a collective medium, the stability of the play as a written work remains vital.

Ultimately, Shawn's quote encapsulates the delicate balance a playwright need to keep: composing with the insight of future efficiency while ensuring that the text stands robust in its literary form. Through this lens, a play is both a fixed script and a fluid, lived experience, reflecting the craftsmanship behind each deliberate sentence.