Undergraduate 

Theatre Studies MA

Writing For Performance THEATRE4016

  • Academic Session: 2023-24
  • School: School of Culture and Creative Arts
  • Credits: 30
  • Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
  • Typically Offered: Runs Throughout Semesters 1 and 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes

Short Description

The course investigates approaches towards contemporary writing-for-performance through practice and discursive methods. It provides students with the opportunity to explore and develop their own writing-for-performance practice through an individual project.

Timetable

8 x 3 hour seminars/workshops

3 x 1 hour tutorials

1 x 4 hour supervised rehearsal/showing

Excluded Courses

Devising - THEATRE4006

Performing Character - THEATRE4085

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

■ Practical assessment of writing-for-performance skills and knowledge through submission of a short performance script: (performed) duration approx. 20 mins (50%)

■ Proposal: 1000 - 1500 words (20%)

■ Critical Reflection: 2000 - 2500 words (30%)

Are reassessment opportunities available for all summative assessments? Not applicable

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. For non Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

Course Aims

The course aims to:

■ Increase students' awareness and understanding of the role and function of writing for performance in a variety of contexts.

■ Introduce students to practical approaches to writing for live performance, and to equip them with the skills and techniques required to develop and execute their ideas.

■ Encourage students to develop an analytical approach towards writing for performance.

■ Enable students to explore and express a specific 'playwriting' interest in considerable depth (through individual projects).

■ Encourage students to develop a critically informed writing-for-performance practice.

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Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of the course students will be able to:

■ Show evidence of having developed practical approaches to writing for performance and will have acquired the skills necessary to explore, communicate and realise their ideas.

■ Analyse and interpret elements of the writer's craft and apply this understanding to finding and assessing their own approaches towards writing for performance.

■ Utilise an understanding of the contribution made to a piece of live performance by the writer in a range of contexts.

■ Show evidence of having developed a critically informed writing practice.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.