Interdisciplinary Arts 0274 - Real Characters, Imagined Even

The primary focus of this intermediate playwriting course is drawing inspiration from historical figures for the construction of original one-act plays. In addition to developing and deepening our craft as playwrights - clarifying dramatic action, and creating more dynamic characters - we will deconstruct the work of several contemporary theatre makers including Lin Manuel Miranda, Katori Hall, Moises Kaufman, Charise Castro Smith and Doug Wright, all of whom are writing, staging and performing original dramas that are at once comedic, musical and absurd. A large part of our process will involve integrating critical theory and creative practice, and developing a vocabulary for the analysis of contemporary drama. Students working on plays already in process, as well as those starting new dramas, are invited to enroll in this workshop class. No prerequisites are required, but as the curriculum is driven by independent work and moves fairly quickly, some playwriting experience is useful.

Independent Work Multiple Cultural Perspectives Writing and Research In this course, students are expected to spend at least six to eight hours a week of preparation and work outside of class time. This time includes reading, writing, research.