Playwriting & Dramaturgy

Programme structure

The programme is designed in two pathways, with students taking shared, core courses alongside options.  Core teaching is delivered in Semesters 1 and 2, with Term 3 dedicated to an independent project.

• Core courses are: Playwriting 1, Debating Dramaturgy 1, Debating Dramaturgy 2 and Research Methods.
• Optional courses – you can select to undertake either Reading and Interpreting Performance or Contemporary Devising Practices.
• Pathway courses are: Playwriting 2 OR Dramaturgy Placement.
• An independent project is completed during the final phase of the course, from April to September.

Core courses

Our core courses introduce you to the foundations of both playwriting as a craft, and dramaturgy as a historical and contemporary practice. In addition, core courses develop other skills useful to the role of the dramaturg and the practitioner, including critical reading, writing and reflection, independent research skills (such as archival and audience research), and presentation skills. These courses also prepare students who may wish to pursue doctoral study in the future. As a good working knowledge of plays (texts and productions) is essential for both the practicing playwright and dramaturg, courses engage with a diverse range of dramatic texts and their stagings.

Assessment
For Playwriting 1, you write a short play as well as a script report. For Debating Dramaturgy 1 you deliver an oral presentation and produce an essay on a selected topic relating to the history or contemporary practice of dramaturgy in the UK, Europe or the USA. Assessment for Reading and Interpreting Performance comprises an oral presentation and an essay that uses close reading of play texts or production histories. For Debating Dramaturgy 2, you engage in a number of workshop events and complete a research journal mapping your learning, alongside an essay on a question that can be devised by you. Research Methods provides an opportunity for you to scope out a research project, which you may then seek to complete in your independent research project.

Pathways
The Playwriting and Dramaturgy Programme is designed to allow you to engage with both playwriting and dramaturgy as practices. All students complete the Playwriting 1 course in Semester 1. In Semester 2, you then decide whether to undertake advanced playwriting or an applied dramaturgical project, via a work placement.

• Playwriting 2 is an advanced playwriting course. Students are mentored one-to-one by a professional playwright, working towards developing a full-length play for the stage. At a mid-point in the development process, plays are given a reading by professional actors, facilitated by a professional director.

• Dramaturgy Placement allows students to develop and apply their dramaturgical skills within a real context. The focus of the work placement is determined, as far as possible, by the interests of the student. Previous work placements have included working as a Production Dramaturg for the Director of the Citizens’ Theatre (Hamlet); archiving and organising a database of plays written by writers resident in Scotland (for the Playwrights’ Studio); working with a group of young people to develop a new play (Ankur Productions). The experience of the placement is captured in a reflective portfolio.

Independent Research Project
The IRP offers you a range of opportunities to explore something of interest to you, applying an appropriate methodology. For example, you may choose to produce a 15,000 word dissertation, undertaking primary and secondary research in the pursuit of new knowledge that relates to the fields of playwriting and dramaturgy; or you may choose to undertake a more applied project, for example, producing a Teacher’s Pack to accompany a touring production of Peter Pan; or you may choose to further practice you playwriting skills.

Teaching methods
Teaching methods are determined by the different needs of the courses and include seminars, one-to-one tutorials, placements and workshops. They are delivered by staff in Theatre Studies, alongside professional practitioners. The playwriting courses are both delivered by professional practitioners, whilst other practitioners are invited to contribute workshops to Debating Dramaturgy 2. Other occasional workshops, seminars and events are organised throughout the year by both staff and students.  Students also have the opportunity to audit other courses, as appropriate. Students are encouraged to create opportunities for informal peer support outside teaching hours.