Playwright’s Workshop

Catalog description

Prerequisite: Playwriting Techniques (THEA 5614) or equivalent or permission of the instructor. Who are you as a writer? What do you write about, and why? Are you writing the play that you want to write or that you need to write? Where is the nexus between the amorphous, subconscious wellspring of the material and the rigorous demands of a form that will play in real time before a live audience? This course is designed for playwriting students who have a solid knowledge of dramatic structure and an understanding of their own creative process—and who are ready to create a complete dramatic work of any length. (As Edward Albee observed, “All plays are full-length plays.”) Students will be free to work on themes, subjects, and styles of their choice. Work will be read aloud and discussed in class each week. The course will require that students enter, at minimum, with an idea of the play that they plan to work on; ideally, students will bring in a partial draft or even a completed draft that they wish to revise. We will read some existent texts, time allowing. Interest in this workshop indicates a high level of seriousness about playwriting. Production Theatrical Producing