Autumn term
All students take the Writing Projects module: you will work on three diverse, short playwriting projects. Each addresses particular generic issues that relate to writing for live performance, and you will engage with the specific challenges and demands of differing circumstances of text development and production. These will vary from year to year, but they are likely to be selected from the following:
- Theatre as Event – site-specific performance
- Authenticity and Live Performance – verbatim theatre
- Writing for Specific Audiences – children’s/young person’s theatre project
- Creative Collaboration – multimedia collaboration with MA Performance Making and Studio Composition students from the Department of Music
You will also take the Dramaturgy module, which has two main elements: analysis of dramatic text (these will include classics and modern classics, as well as new plays); and analysis of live performance seen by the group (including some visual, environmental or non-text-based work). During the module you will assemble a portfolio of critical analyses and creative writing projects for assessment.
You will also take one contextual module alongside students from other Masters programmes, to be selected from a list of options that will vary from session to session.
Spring term
You will develop your work on Dramaturgy with the term-long practical workshop module Creative Intervention in Text. This will examine: translation; adaptation of work from other media for live performance; and the re-writing and/or adaptation of extant plays; planning and curating seasons of performance work. You will assemble a portfolio of creative projects for assessment.
You also start work on your Final Project the personal Dissertation-equivalent project that will be the core of your work for the next six months). Weekly seminars and workshops will examine themes relevant to the range of projects chosen, and a first draft or outline will be produced. Each project will be the focus of individual tutorials, and then a class workshop led by a guest dramaturg, director or playwright as appropriate. You will then plan the next phase of the research or development of your project.
You also take another option from the list of contextual modules shared with students from other Masters programmes.
Summer term
You will present the second draft of your project for another phase of tutorials and group workshops.
Playwriting projects will then be prepared for some form of public rehearsed reading or scratch performance, in extract form – with the writers involved in all aspects of the work.
Dramaturgy projects will be given practical support of an appropriate, equivalent kind. You will further develop your work, with tutorials and workshops and public presentation of work as appropriate, before writing and submitting the finished project.
Throughout the year, various seminars and workshops will examine diverse issues that affect writers today, and these will be led by visiting professionals as appropriate.
Assessment
We deploy a range of assessment approaches, each appropriate to the module taken. Students taking Writing Projects will submit three short playtexts for assessment. Dramaturgy is assessed by a portfolio of analytic reviews, and Creative Intervention in Text by a series of short creative writing projects and writing exercises. Each of the contextual option modules is assessed by a 4,000 word essay. Final Project leads to the production of a playtext (Playwriting), or a Dissertation or equivalent practical project (Dramaturgy).
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Module title |
Credits |
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Writing for Performance (Final Project)
Writing for Performance (Final Project)
60 Credits
Students prepare a 60-minute piece of performance writing through readings, practical writing workshops, dramaturgical reports and critical evaluation.
In the Spring term they work through:
Week 1: PROJECT PRESENTATIONS – students pitch two ideas, develop both in weeks 2 - 4 and then choose one for their first draft (normally 30-40 pages)
Week 2: GESTURE, FORM AND CONTENT
Week 3: IMAGE BOARDS AND STRUCTURES
Week 4: CHARACTER AND DRAMATIC ACTION
Students are paired together to dramaturge each other through their first draft.
Week 5: WRITING THE FIRST DRAFT (30-60 pages)
Week 6: READING WEEK AND WRITING THE FIRST DRAFT
Week 7: 4 READINGS WITH FEEDBACK
Each student must provide at least six copies of their script for the reading.
Week 8: 4 READINGS WITH FEEDBACK DRAMATURGICAL REPORT 1
Week 9: 2 READINGS WITH FEEDBACK DRAMATURGICAL REPORT 1
Each student must provide at least six copies of their script for the reading.
Dramaturges will document group feedback to write a dramaturgical report for the writer.
Week 10: TUTORIALS WITH CONVENOR - students write second draft over Easter holiday
In the first half of the Summer term they lead workshops and develop the texts through Dramaturgical Report 2. They then prepare extracts for The Soho Readings in June that are developed by Dramaturgical Report 3. The Final draft is submitted in July with the Critical Evaluation.
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60 Credits |
Download the programme specification. If you would like an earlier version of the programme specification, please contact the Quality Office.
Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year.