How do you go about writing a play or text for performance? What writers and playwrights inspire you? And how can you learn from their approaches to help you find your own writing style?
These are some of the questions we will consider on this module, as you develop your skills in writing and your own creative approach. You will have the opportunity to look at a range of performance texts and learn how to closely analyse these, to help you understand the fundamentals of writing for performance.
You will develop your skills by writing your own material, and experience the results and effects of your writing by witnessing how it comes to life when it is performed by others. Through ongoing practise, discussion and constructive criticism from peers and lecturers, you will also develop an understanding of how important revision, editing and feedback are to the evolution of a piece of writing for performance.
On completing the module you will have developed your ability to recognise and discuss what makes a good piece of writing, produce compelling performance texts of your own, and apply your skills as a confident and creative communicator.
Lecture: 18
Workshop: 27
Main Assessment Methods
Performance Text (10-15 minutes).
Assessment Details: A written performance text equating to 10-15 mins of performance. Worth 50%.
Portfolio.
Assessment Details: Portfolio of selected writing with written analysis. 3 x short performance texts with accompanying analysis. Worth 50%.
Reassessment Method:
Like-for-like
On successfully completing the module, students will be able to:
1. Identify and analyse practical skills for writing for performance
2. Identify and apply a range of dramaturgical structures in the completion, editing and revision of exercises in writing for performance
3. Apply a working familiarity with, and understanding of, the language and practices of writing for performance in the production of performance texts
4. Analyse and critique the practice of writing for performance as evident in the work of the student, their peers and published writers
5. Reflect on the written word as enacted in performance and on the importance of constructive criticism.
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