Advanced playwriting

About this course

The course explores theatre writing from premise and theme through character, motivation, dramatic structure and scene construction. Participants develop their own short or full-length play, submitting sections for group reading, discussion and constructive critique. Teaching combines lectures, seminars, writing exercises and dramaturgical sessions. Professionally produced playscripts are also analysed to examine how established writers approach dramatic craft. Course discussions may respond to the specific issues raised by participants’ work, allowing further aspects of playwriting to be considered in context.

What you'll learn

• Develop a fuller understanding of the playwriting process from initial idea to first draft.
• Produce a new draft of a short or full-length play.
• Apply dramaturgical and writing techniques to their own work.
• Analyse plays in performance or print using critical insight into dramatic writing.

Is this course right for you?

At Advanced level, the course is intended for writers developing beyond introductory playwriting. New students may join with some previous writing experience, while returning students may have completed several terms of study. Participants should have a good standard of written and spoken English and be prepared to contribute to discussions, feedback sessions and readings of their work.

• The course involves sharing written work with the group for reading and critique.
• Participants are expected to take part in group discussions and feedback sessions.

Before you go

• Bring pen and paper.
• Set texts may be advised but do not necessarily need to be purchased.
• When it is their turn to have work read in class, learners should provide several copies of the scenes they have written at home.