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  2. Writing for Theatre [DST2245]

Faculty of Education and Arts

School: Education

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Writing for Theatre

  • Unit Code

    DST2245

  • Year

    2015

  • Enrolment Period

    1

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

Description

Students will explore both the theory and practice of how plays are created through a series of script-writing sessions. The study of published play-text and workshop activity will lead to students writing their own pieces of theatre for performance by other group members.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Critically examine recent theories and methodologies which are used to describe and analyse play scripts.
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of the way plays are made and structured, both by individual playwrights and through a collaborative process.
  3. Experiment with the conventions of dramatic form in order to create original and thought provoking drama.
  4. Express an informed opinion of a range of plays from different genres.
  5. Identify the problems in translating from text to performance.
  6. Understand the nature of the differences between stage discourse and every-day language.

Unit Content

  1. Application of the principles of textual analysis to the work of selected playwrights (e.g. Miller, Williams, Gow, Mamet, Berkoff), and to the students writing of original drama.
  2. Methods of working to create theatre that challenges the conventions of realism (e.g. a poor theatre approach, playbuilding, physical theatre).
  3. The development of theories of dramatic form in the twentieth century (e.g. the well made play, Epic Theatre, anti-realism, formalism).
  4. The devising and then scripting of a short piece of theatre ready for performance by others.
  5. The evaluation of selected play scripts and performances.
  6. The interpretation in performance of selected play scripts, both published and those generated by students in this unit.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Seminars Workshops

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Due to the professional competency skill development associated with this Unit, student attendance/participation within listed in-class activities is compulsory. Students failing to meet participation standards as outlined in the unit plan may be awarded an I Grade (Fail - incomplete). Students who are unable to meet this requirement for medical or other reasons must seek the approval of the unit coordinator.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
ExerciseEnsemble script work60%
PerformanceOriginal solo performance 40%

Text References

  • ^ Change assessment titles and correct spelling mistake in the reference list.
  • Catron, L. E. (2001). The elements of playwriting. Waveland PR Inc.
  • Quigley, A.E. (1985). The modern stage and other worlds. New York: Methuen.
  • Spencer, S. (2002). The playwright's guidebook: An insightful primer on the art of dramatic writing. Faber & Faber.
  • Change assessment titles and correct spelling mistake in the reference list.
  • Change assessment titles and correct spelling mistake in the reference list.
  • Bray, E. (1991). Playbuilding: A guide for group creation of plays with young people. Sydney, Australia: Currency Press.
  • Downs, W. M., & Russin, R. U. (2005). Naked playwriting: The art, the craft, and the life laid bare. Silman-James Press.
  • Dunn, W. (2009). The dramatic writer's companion: Tools to develop characters, cause scenes, and build stories: Chicago guides to writing, editing, and publishing. University of Chicago Press.
  • England, A. (1990). Theatre for the young. London: MacMillan Education.
  • Hatcher, J. (2000). The arts and craft of playwriting. Story Press.
  • Johnstone, K. (1981). Impro: Improvisation and the theatre. London: Methuen.
  • Mamet, D. (1988). Writing in restaurants. London: Faber.

Journal References

  • 2D: The journal for drama/dance in education. Knighton Fields Centre, Leicester, U.K. (1987) published quarterly.
  • Lowdown. Carclew Youth Arts Centre, S.A. (1989) published bi-monthly.

Website References

  • Change assessment titles and correct spelling mistake in the reference list.

^ Mandatory reference

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

DST2245|1|1

Faculty of Education and Arts

School: Education

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Writing for Theatre

  • Unit Code

    DST2245

  • Year

    2015

  • Enrolment Period

    2

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

Description

Students will explore both the theory and practice of how plays are created through a series of script-writing sessions. The study of published play-text and workshop activity will lead to students writing their own pieces of theatre for performance by other group members.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Critically examine recent theories and methodologies which are used to describe and analyse play scripts.
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of the way plays are made and structured, both by individual playwrights and through a collaborative process.
  3. Experiment with the conventions of dramatic form in order to create original and thought provoking drama.
  4. Express an informed opinion of a range of plays from different genres.
  5. Identify the problems in translating from text to performance.
  6. Understand the nature of the differences between stage discourse and every-day language.

Unit Content

  1. Application of the principles of textual analysis to the work of selected playwrights (e.g. Miller, Williams, Gow, Mamet, Berkoff), and to the students writing of original drama.
  2. Methods of working to create theatre that challenges the conventions of realism (e.g. a poor theatre approach, playbuilding, physical theatre).
  3. The development of theories of dramatic form in the twentieth century (e.g. the well made play, Epic Theatre, anti-realism, formalism).
  4. The devising and then scripting of a short piece of theatre ready for performance by others.
  5. The evaluation of selected play scripts and performances.
  6. The interpretation in performance of selected play scripts, both published and those generated by students in this unit.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Seminars Workshops

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Due to the professional competency skill development associated with this Unit, student attendance/participation within listed in-class activities is compulsory. Students failing to meet participation standards as outlined in the unit plan may be awarded an I Grade (Fail - incomplete). Students who are unable to meet this requirement for medical or other reasons must seek the approval of the unit coordinator.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
ExerciseEnsemble script work60%
PerformanceOriginal solo performance 40%

Text References

  • ^ Change assessment titles and correct spelling mistake in the reference list.
  • Catron, L. E. (2001). The elements of playwriting. Waveland PR Inc.
  • Quigley, A.E. (1985). The modern stage and other worlds. New York: Methuen.
  • Spencer, S. (2002). The playwright's guidebook: An insightful primer on the art of dramatic writing. Faber & Faber.
  • Change assessment titles and correct spelling mistake in the reference list.
  • Change assessment titles and correct spelling mistake in the reference list.
  • Bray, E. (1991). Playbuilding: A guide for group creation of plays with young people. Sydney, Australia: Currency Press.
  • Downs, W. M., & Russin, R. U. (2005). Naked playwriting: The art, the craft, and the life laid bare. Silman-James Press.
  • Dunn, W. (2009). The dramatic writer's companion: Tools to develop characters, cause scenes, and build stories: Chicago guides to writing, editing, and publishing. University of Chicago Press.
  • England, A. (1990). Theatre for the young. London: MacMillan Education.
  • Hatcher, J. (2000). The arts and craft of playwriting. Story Press.
  • Johnstone, K. (1981). Impro: Improvisation and the theatre. London: Methuen.
  • Mamet, D. (1988). Writing in restaurants. London: Faber.

Journal References

  • 2D: The journal for drama/dance in education. Knighton Fields Centre, Leicester, U.K. (1987) published quarterly.
  • Lowdown. Carclew Youth Arts Centre, S.A. (1989) published bi-monthly.

Website References

  • Change assessment titles and correct spelling mistake in the reference list.

^ Mandatory reference

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

DST2245|1|2