Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

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

  2019

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  1

• Credit Points

  15

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  

• Unit Coordinator

  Dr Christina Claire GRAY

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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.

Learning Experience

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECU Blackboard.

For more information see the Semester Timetable

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.

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