Course Syllabus: Writing For The Stage

[Urahra 5777]

THE IMPERIAL UNIVERSITY OF PROVIDENCE

PRO DEO ET PATRIA

FOR GOD AND COUNTRY

 

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WRITING FOR THE STAGE

 

INSTRUCTOR: Yuliya Styrne

TEACHING ASSISTANT: James Chapel

 

MEETING TIMES AND LOCATION: ((Fridays, 6pm EST))

 

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COURSE CONTENT & LEARNING OBJECTIVES

 

This course is intended to impart the basics of storytelling for the aspiring playwright. We'll be breaking down the practice of storytelling to its component parts - essential elements, plot, and structure. By the end of the semester, students should be able to:

 

♛Identify the essential elements of storytelling.

♛Explain the traditional five-act structure of a stage play.

♛Generate original concepts for their theatrical production.

♛Kindly and respectfully critique and analyze the work of fellow students.

♛Complete writing a simple one-act play from beginning to end.

 

Class will be held once per Saint's Week unless otherwise stated by the professor.

 

COURSEWORK

 

Your graded coursework will consist of two short homework assignments and a completed script for a one-act play (roughly 4-8 pages). Your homework assignments will count for 40% of your final grade. The one-act play will count for 60%. Homework assignments are due on the following class date. The one-act play is due on the final day of class before the end of the semester.

 

Incomplete coursework will not be accepted. Late work will be accepted under extenuating circumstances. Students who fail the class will be denied graduation and required to retake the course in full.

 

If you have difficulty completing the coursework for whatever reason, please notify your instructor as far in advance as possible. If you need an extended deadline, you will receive a temporary grade of 'incomplete' until a new deadline is determined.

 

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY

 

The Imperial University of Providence is committed to fostering an environment of intellectual and artistic integrity. Violations against academic integrity constitute offenses against the entire Imperial University community.

 

Students who violate rules of academic integrity by submitting plagiarized or stolen work will be subject to disciplinary penalties up to and including expulsion.

 

WEEKLY SESSION TOPICS

 

Class 1: Essential Elements of Story

Homework: Students will generate an original idea for a one-act play and write a logline. They will answer the questions of 'who, what, when, where, and why' in regards to their concept.

 

Class 2: Structure of a Five-Act Play

Homework: Students will generate a three-beat outline for their one-act play and describe what their setup, problem, and resolution will be.

 

Class 3: Writing The Play

Homework: Students will complete the first draft of their one-act play.

 

Class 4: Workshopping & Critique

Homework: Students will revise their one-act play based on student and professor critique. Submit the completed work to the professor for grading.

 

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FINAL PROJECT

 

The final project for this course will be the completion of a one-act play. The play will consist of one scene with a minimum of two characters. The play will have three story-beats - a setup, a climax, and a resolution. Students' final project may be any genre. The plays will be a minimum of four pages and a maximum of eight. As a professor, I am interested in quality over quantity. A shorter, more polished play might receive a higher final grade than a less-polished but longer play.

 

The final project will be graded on the following criteria:

 

♛Does the play show a thorough understanding of the elements of storytelling?

♛Does the play demonstrate a specific theme?

♛Does the play contain at least two characters?

♛Does the play meet the minimum page requirements?

♛Does the play have a clear setup, climax, and resolution?

♛Is the play formatted according to popular playwriting conventions?

 

 

GRADING CRITERIA

 

All homework is Pass/Fail. If completed on time and meets professor requirements, it will receive a pass. If not completed adequately or turned in late, it will receive a fail.

 

The final project will receive a grade of “A”, “B”, “C”, “D”, or “F” depending on how well it meets the requirements stated above. A grade of “F” is considered failing and students will be required to retake the class.

 

A - The play meets all requirements and far exceeds expectations in terms of style, content, and quality.

B - The play meets all requirements and is satisfactory in terms of style, content, and quality.

C - The play meets most but not all requirements and is adequate in terms of style, content, and quality.

D - The play meets some but not all requirements and is passable in terms of style, content, and quality.

F - The play fails to meet most or all requirements and is severely inadequate in terms of style, content, or quality. Alternatively, the play is incomplete or late.