Playwriting: stage 2

A workshop for experienced playwrights with work in progress: an opportunity to review the elements of a play and to continue working on your own draft. New students who have a draft of a play are welcome to join in January, space allowing. NB: term 1 finishes on 9 December; term 2 starts on 13 January.

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Key course information

Dates
20/09/11 - 06/12/11

Day(s)
Tue

Duration
12 weeks

Time
10:15 - 12:15

Fees
Full fee: £129
Senior fee: £73
Concession: £35

Venue
KS - Keeley Street

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Course code
HW055

Availability
This course has finished

This course has finished

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Still got questions?
humanities@citylit.ac.uk or call 020 7492 2652

Course outline

What is the course about?

The course delivers understanding, and facilitates practical application of essential components necessary in writing
plays. You are expected to have a first draft of a play (if not full-length at least a short one) on which to work.

What topics will we cover?

The course will examine aspects from the whole process on how plays are being written and put together in their
different shapes, styles and forms. Anything from initial idea to completed first draft will be considered (premise/theme, character, motivation, basic structure(s), story, synopsis, scene analysis, scene construction,
character analysis, study of the elements of dramatic action such as obstacles, crises, etc.).

By the end of this course you should be able to:

- show a fuller awareness of the playwriting process
- produce a new draft of your play
- demonstrate the use of dramaturgical and writing skills in your own work
- exercise a critical insight into the playwriting process and in analysing plays either in performance or in print.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

You should have a first draft of a play and some understanding of drama writing. Ideally you will have completed
Playwriting Stage 1 or some other playwriting course.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

- lectures/seminars/discussions on components and aspects of dramatic writing
- writing exercises and dramaturgical sessions
- in-class readings of students’ work followed by feedback and analysis
- analysis of written dramatic work

The Tutor
Playwright Michele Celeste has had plays performed in the UK and abroad. His play, Hanging the President, won the Mobil Competition International Prize (Royal Exchange, Manchester) and was awarded an Edinburgh Festival Fringe First. His play for children, Mariza's Story, was awarded the first prize in the WH Smith Plays for Children International Competition (Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds). His plays have been awarded a string of other prizes both in the UK and in Italy as he also works in Italian. He was Resident Writer at Essex University (Colchester) and with the Belgrade T.I.E (Coventry). Michele has also developed youth plays and community plays with prestigious companies, such as TAG (Glasgow), which have toured extensively.

City lit reserves the right to change course tutors or venues from those advertised in this outline. In line with our refund policy we are unable to grant a refund on the grounds of a change of tutor/venue.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

Pen and paper. Set texts might be advised but do not necessarily need to be purchased. You should provide several
copies of the scenes you have written at home when it is your turn to have your work read out in class.

Do I need to have an interview before I can enrol?

No.

What feedback will I get?

You will receive regular feedback from your tutor throughout the course, as and when appropriate. At the end of the course you and your tutor are asked to assess the progress you have made.

How will I be able to give my views on the course?

Please complete the evaluation form at the end of your course. These are monitored and help us to continually improve our courses.

How do I find out if I can get some support for my learning?

You may be interested in: education and careers advice; financial and childcare support; disability support; support for Deaf and hearing-impaired students; dyslexia support; English and maths support; counselling, and library services (supported learning centre). To find out what may be available to you, and how to apply, see page 213 of the 11/12 course guide, or visit www.citylit.ac.uk/students

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

The course is an ongoing workshop so you may enrol several times.

General information and advice on courses at City Lit is available from the Information and Advice Shop, open Monday to Friday 12:00 – 19:00 during term time, and Monday to Friday 12:00 – 17:00 out of term time. See the course guide for term dates and further details.

Who can I contact for further information?

Tel: 020 7492 2652

humanities@citylit.ac.uk

Advice times:

During term-time Monday 12.30–13.30 and 17.30–18.30 Thursday 12.30–13.30 and 17.30–18.30

Non term-time Monday 17.30–18.30 Thursday 12.30–13.30.

To enrol on a course, call 020 7831 7831.