Scripts for Contemporary Theatre

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

170 hours

CWRI30005 Writing for Theatre; 106-363 Writing for Theatre

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject is an introduction to the principles and techniques of scriptwriting for the theatre. A selection of theatre scripts in various styles will be studied, in conjunction with relevant critical material, to enhance the production of an original script. Students will each view a current Melbourne theatre production and review the scriptwriting concept and techniques through blog-posts on a class forum, as well as participating in workshopping of their classmates’ scripts throughout semester. This subject is compulsory for students planning to take Writing Radical Performance in the 3rd year of their studies.

On successful completion of this subject, students should have:

• The ability to demonstrate a rigorous creative and critical approach to the design and writing of scripts for theatre;
• Developed a range of vocational and creative writing strategies through the development of performance texts that explore complex social and cultural contexts;
• Gained a broad understanding of the relationship between scripts for the theatre and the historical contexts that produce them;
• Developed effective communication techniques in a variety of oral, digital and written forms of scripting;
• The ability to communicate a respect for ethical values and intellectual honesty through their writing practice and through their engagement with scholarship on the traditions and innovations of creative writing for performance;
• Gained experience writing independently and in small groups, taking into account individual and cultural differences, to meet shared goals and to critically reflect upon their own work.

• Attendance and participation: It is compulsory that each student presents a work-in-progress script (equivalent to 250 words) during weeks 7-11 of semester. Attendance and participation is also expected in the workshopping of classmates’ scripts (10%)
• A 1000 word blog entry (inc. interactive material: images, audio, links etc) that critically assesses the scriptwriting concept and techniques of a current performance work. Due week 9 of semester (30%)
• A 250 word introduction to the critical concepts and script techniques that underpin the final script, submitted with the script during the examination period (10%)
• A 2000 word original script for performance, submitted during the examination period (50%)

Hurdle requirement: Students must attend a minimum of 75% of tutorials in order to pass this subject. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

Note: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per working day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked.

Paul C. Castagno 2012 New Playwriting Strategies London & New York: Routledge

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Students who successfully complete this subject will:

• Be able to analyse creative and critical material to develop and enhance their intellectual training and creative practice
• Acquire interpersonal skills of communication, collaboration and co-operation through attention to active listening, giving and receiving feedback etc. and how to reconceptualise and rewrite from feedback;
• Acquire teamwork and public speaking skills through extensive presentation of work-in-progress during workshops.
• Demonstrate time management, independent organisation and planning.