THTR 244 Elements of Playwriting
A combination lecture, discussion and lab course in which students will explore the fundamentals of playwriting while simultaneously exploring the possibilities of their personal voice. Through weekly exercises devised around key elements of dramatic writing (time, place, action, character, world and language) students will create a strong foundation for their writing and begin to understand how to utilize these tools to strengthen and support their personal voice. Students will read and discuss a multitude of contemporary plays who demonstrate this ideal pairing of voice and craft in a variety of forms. In addition to these assignments and readings over the course of semester students will write one 10-minute play and one act play (approx. 30 pages).
Writing for the Stage Concentration students only.