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Playwriting

In the M.F.A. Playwriting Program, student writers collaborate with student actors, directors, and dramaturgs to develop new works in rehearsal processes. They also have opportunities to develop new works outside of these processes. They consider a variety of dramaturgical techniques for the development of action, character, language and structure. Student playwrights are encouraged to explore work that expands the boundaries of the theater event. In creative collaboration with student actors and directors, they shape and reshape some of their works in readings and workshops.

In their second and third years, M.F.A. playwrights are introduced to the work of adaptation and to the various professional venues for writers. They explore more fully the issues of rehearsal collaborations and continue to develop work on their own.

Over the three years, students are expected to have completed at least four texts suitable for public presentation, one of which is to be an adaptation of nondramatic material. M.F.A. playwrights are expected to complete the work of 2 practicum (crew credits) by serving as production stage manager for one of the third-year M.F.A. playwright productions.

Entrance Requirements

Admissions criteria include at least some experience with original playwriting (especially in production), in either academic or professional settings. Additionally, the head of the program places especially high value on two categories of required materials: letters of recommendation that indicate enthusiasm for and knowledge of the student’s writing, and most importantly, the quality of submitted samples of the student’s own playwriting. The department also expects students to be familiar with the plays on the graduate reading list before entering the program and able to use (draw on) this knowledge throughout the course work. Students whose first language is not English must submit TOEFL, results of 80 or higher (iBT test), (for paper-based test: 550 or higher; for computer-based test: 213 or higher), or the Duolingo examination, results of 105 or higher, to be considered for admission. For the iBT test, at least 20 out of 30 in each of the subcategories is required.

Program of Study Semester Hours
First Year, Fall Term 12
DR 601 Introduction to Theatre Research 3
DR 604 Dramatic Structures (ONLINE) 3
DR 638 Performance Studio I 3
DR 960 Seminar: Playwriting I 3
First Year, Spring Term 12
DR 545 Theatre Production & Design 3
DR 639 Performance Studio II 3
DR 961 Seminar: Playwriting II 3
DR 983 Seminar: Dramaturgy 3
Second Year, Fall Term 12
DR 606 Theatre Theory 3
DR 661 Writing for Television 3
DR 762 Adaptation 3
DR 984 Seminar: Shakespeare in the Theatre 3
Second Year, Spring Term 12
DR 566 Screenwriting 3
DR 610 Twentieth Century Theatres (ONLINE) 3
DR 831 Masterclass 3
DR 962 Seminar Playwriting III 3
Third Year, Fall Term 6
DR 697 Thesis Guidance for Playwright Production OR
DR 695B Playwriting Internship		 3
MATE Course: College Teaching & Course Design 3
Third Year, Spring Term 6
DR 697 Thesis Guidance for Playwright Production OR
DR 695B Playwriting Internship		 3
DR 850 Directors Forum 3
Capstone Requirements 3
Crew Credits (two for 0 credits) (DR 699A & DR 699B) (see description below) 0
DR 697 Thesis Guidance for Playwright Production 3
Master’s Comprehensive Examination (DR 698A w/classes; DR 698B wo/classes)
Total 60

Graduation Requirements

Students in the M.F.A Program in Playwriting must complete 20 courses in 6 consecutive semesters for a total of 60 credits; complete four or more stage plays, in addition to scripts for television and film; submit a final draft of an original play as the equivalent of a thesis, and pass a written comprehensive exam. Writing projects concentrate on creating scripts for performance, and a workshop production of one of their plays provides the culmination of their studies. The final draft becomes the bound and published thesis, which is submitted post-production, and reflects the changes and rewrites that occurred during rehearsals. A detailed description of the writing process, including rehearsal changes and rewrites, is submitted as part of the comprehensive examination. Every course listed in the M.F.A. Playwriting track is required.

  1. Pre-requisites: Graduate reading list: All students are expected to be familiar with the plays on the graduate reading list before entering the program and able to use this knowledge throughout their course work. At a minimum they will need to be able to include them in class discussions and draw on them in their written work through their academic career.
  2. Crew Credits: students in this program participate in the department’s crew credit requirement by working as Stage Managers for a production of a new play that is not their own script. A full stage manager’s role from beginning of rehearsals to the final performance is considered equivalent to 60 hours of required crew work.
  3. GPA: Students complete 60 credits and four writing projects for the stage with a grade of B- or better. The program may dismiss a student who earns grades below B- in 3 courses. In the event a student receives a grade lower than a B- in a course, they are put on probation and advised that their continuation will be reevaluated at the end of the following semester. If a student receives a failing grade in a course, they are permitted to retake the course once. If they do not successfully complete the class, they are unable to continue in the program, as all courses are required to complete the degree.
  4. Student evaluations: In end-of-semester meetings, the full-time faculty, in consultation with lecturers, evaluate the progress of each student in our graduate programs. These evaluations cover course work, production work, and any specific concerns that could affect a student’s degree progress. The head of the program evaluates students by using their grades, perceived improvement as a writer, and reports concerning their ability to collaborate with other students, as measures for judgment. The faculty advisor reports to the student any action determined through these discussions. The faculty may dismiss a student on the basis of their evaluation of his/her progress, including work and craft habits necessary for successful professional practice. Feedback on the student’s writing progress and performance-related projects is an integral part of this program. Early warning is given if the student is showing difficulty maintaining the course requirements. Continued inability or unwillingness to complete the required courses and practicums - after the initial warning - constitutes grounds for dismissal
  5. The student is asked to keep a personal journal, in order to help provide a detailed description of the development of the thesis script and rehearsal experience, which, along with the script itself, will be required as part of the final comprehensive examination.
  6. Writing for the stage: Students must successfully complete at least four works of dramatic writing for the stage, including one short play, two full length works, and one adaptation. These minimum requirements of four play scripts are usually accomplished by the end of the fourth semester, within the required course work. The head of the program evaluates the final scripts, placing emphasis on the student’s ability to rewrite and accomplish professional-level quality. The head of the program values the student’s ability to rework and rewrite his/her scripts, over what may or may not be regarded as natural “talent.” They encourage and expect final scripts to undergo major transformation from the first draft to the final version. That is a subjective value, but a script put through this process usually shows 50% revision or more.
  7. Writing for other venues: Students must successfully complete at least one film script and one television script. These minimum requirements of two scripts for other entertainment media are usually accomplished by the end of the fourth semester, within the required course work. The head of the program evaluates the final scripts, emphasizing the student’s ability to rewrite and accomplish professional-level quality. The head of the program emphasizes the student’s ability to rework and rewrite his/her scripts, over what may or may not be regarded as natural “talent.” The head of the program encourages and expects final scripts to undergo major transformation from the first draft to the final version. That is a subjective value, but a script put through this process usually shows 50% revision or more.
  8. Professional internship: In their third year, student playwrights participate in a professional internship related to their field of study. The playwriting faculty determines what opportunity would best serve the specific student and assists him/her to find an appropriate placement. Each student is assigned an off-site supervisor, who reports to the head of the program regarding the student’s work experience. Since the nature of internships may vary, the parameters of each individual work experience is discussed and outlined with the head of the program beforehand. Each supervisor is told to contact the head of the program with any questions or concerns during the internship, and the student is also asked to provide updates on their work experiences as requested by them. The criteria for successful completion is determined by the head of the program, and based mainly on the report of the supervisor, who describes to what extent the student met work expectations.
  9. Written comprehensive examination: student playwrights must take a written comprehensive exam, answering questions integral to their own work. The exam also assesses the student’s historical, theoretical, and practical knowledge of his/her field and the skill at putting some of that knowledge into play independently. The intent is that the exam be the logical culmination of the dialogue between the critical studies and the writing and production work in which each student playwright participates throughout his/her program. To be eligible, students must have completed, or be in the process of completing, all course and practicum requirements. Typically, students take the exam in the final semester of the degree program around mid March.
  10. M.F.A. Thesis: To meet the thesis requirement, a playwright must write a full-length play, submit the script to the head of the playwriting program for final evaluation and submit the play for workshop production by the Drama Department. Student playwrights must fully participate in rehearsals and contribute rewrites for their culminating thesis workshops. The Thesis script is developed under the guidance of the head of the program, with additional input by the play’s director and dramaturg. The thesis grade, also determined by the head of the program, is based on the quality of the written script, and to what extent it is demonstrated to be ready for the stage. Playwrights may request to meet with the members of their committee to discuss their play script and thesis workshop. This optional meeting takes place after the committee has evaluated the student’s written exams. It does not impact the outcome of the student’s exam.