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New Writing Dramaturgy (DRAM90024)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Southbank)

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Overview

Availability
Semester 2
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The subject focuses on close collaboration between the writer and dramaturg by concentrating on the practice of working with writers to develop new plays, performance texts and scores.

The subject is delivered through workshops, mentoring sessions, observation of leading writers/dramaturgs at work, and through the development and rehearsal of Master of Theatre (Writing) students’ full-length works in rehearsed readings. You will assume the leadership role of dramaturg on a new writing project and will work closely with writers and directors to make collective decisions, interpret material, give critical feedback and facilitate the creative process.

This subject requires you to select and deploy appropriate dramaturgical approaches, operate as a collaborative leading artist in a creative development process, practice critical decision making, and to reflect upon and evaluate practical learning experiences. Students in this subject are the dramaturgs for the new writing/works written by the Master of Theatre (Writing) students.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject students should be able to:

  • interpret the work of an emerging writer and be conversant with its critical, aesthetic, canonical, thematic, representational and formal registers;
  • communicate constructive feedback to writers and shepherd the production of new writing;
  • evaluate the effectiveness of your own dramaturgical approach to new writing and your success in the role of dramaturg;
  • make and justify dramaturgical decisions appropriate to the working context;
  • identify the key activities and processes used by emerging writers to achieve their goals and objectives.

Last updated: 31 January 2024

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

Recommended background knowledge

Wide understanding of theatre and dramatic text; critical theories about theatre and representation; some knowledge of industry practices.

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.

Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Last updated: 31 January 2024

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Expositional introduction and synopsis of a new play, performance text or score in development.

  • 1500 words (equivalent)
Mid teaching period30%

Critical evaluation of a dramaturgical feedback session with a writer.

  • 1500 words
Late in the teaching period30%

Critical reflection of own dramaturgical practice.

  • 2000 words
During the assessment period40%

Last updated: 31 January 2024

Dates & times

  • Semester 2
    CoordinatorChris Mead
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Southbank)
    Contact hours92 hours, comprising 12 hours of seminars, and 80 hours of readings, rehearsals, and feedback sessions
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period22 July 2024 to 20 October 2024
    Last self-enrol date 2 August 2024
    Census date 2 September 2024
    Last date to withdraw without fail20 September 2024
    Assessment period ends15 November 2024

    Semester 2 contact information

    Chris Mead: christopher.mead@unimelb.edu.au

What do these dates mean

Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:

  • Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
  • And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
    - Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).

    Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.

Last updated: 31 January 2024

Further information

  • Texts

    Prescribed texts

    There will be specific readings according to content of plays and rehearsal processes.

  • Related Handbook entries

    This subject contributes to the following:

    TypeName
    CourseMaster of Theatre (Dramaturgy)
  • Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students

    This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.

Last updated: 31 January 2024