Topics in Media Writing (360-0-21)

Topic

Broken Plays for Broken Times

Instructors

Erin E Courtney

Meeting Info

Annie May Swift Hall 109: Wed 12:00PM - 2:50PM

Overview of class

When a system is broken, one way to make theater in response to it is to craft a broken play. In this class we will read and discuss plays that have been structured to break in some fashion, as a means of dramatizing oppressive, exploitative, or dysfunctional systems, and/or fractured emotional states of individuals. Students will write a series of exercises inspired by the broken structures of the plays that we read and analyze. Each student will also write a 30-40 page broken play that will be workshopped in class. A second draft of the workshop play will be due on the last day of class. The short exercises and the longer workshop play will experiment with intentionally breaking a "unified" play. The readings and our writings will practice fragmentations, splintering, exploding and reimagining.

Class Materials (Required)

All readings will be uploaded on to CANVAS and will be free to access.

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Students must have completed RTVF 260-0 in order to register for this course (concurrent registration is not allowed) or students in Writing: MFA or Documentary Media: MFA programs