SEL2226 : Theatre Script Workshop
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Mr Andrew Thompson
- Owning School: English Lit, Language & Linguistics
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
- Capacity limit: 30 student places
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
Exploration of students own individual and unique voices in the context of writing for the contemporary theatrical stage. Specifically:
1. Development of the craft skills of writing for theatre e.g. plot, setting, scene development, dialogue, pace, etc.
2. Development of critical skills in watching, reading and writing about contemporary theatre.
3. Experience in drafting and revising in response to a range of feedback and reading.
Outline Of Syllabus
Students will attend seminars which will focus on the drafting process and may include reading and discussing student work.
Students will have discursive workshop/lectures, contemporary plays will be discussed and craft exercises undertaken.
Students will watch plays (in person or online) and attend a cross-module discussion group, Play Club in order to present on and discuss what they have watched.
There will also be individual and pair tutorials to be scheduled during the semester by teaching staff, during which each student will present a short extract of their own writing for constructive criticism from their tutor, or submission plans may be discussed.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 8 | 2:00 | 16:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 10 | 2:00 | 20:00 | Small group seminars. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Fieldwork | 3 | 2:00 | 6:00 | 3 x plays to watch in person or online through a 3rd party platform. |
| Guided Independent Study | Student-led group activity | 3 | 1:00 | 3:00 | 3 x 1 hour discussion group of the three plays viewed. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Dissertation/project related supervision | 2 | 0:30 | 1:00 | 2 x individual tutorials with students. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Dissertation/project related supervision | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | 1 hour joint supervision with students. |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 153:00 | 153:00 | N/A |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The seminar enables the general principles of the course to be applied through craft exercises and reading and responding to viewing of contemporary plays.
Lecture/Workshops and tutorials focus the student’s attention on the process of writing for the stage, and specifically on the unique qualities of their own work which they develop through drafting during Guided Independent Study.
Viewing and discussion of plays ensures students understand the performance context of their work.
Professional visiting speakers will be invited, where possible, to enhance learning and diversity of teaching.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio | 2 | A | 100 | A short self contained script (2000 words) for the stage, 300 word synopsis of the same and a self-reflective essay of 1500 words. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
Students will submit a short self contained script (amounting to no more than 2000 words) for the stage and an accompanying 300 word synopsis of the same.
A critical essay of 1500 words will also be submitted. In this students should discuss their drafting process, and their principles of selection. They should also discuss craft and plays that they have seen and read in this context. They must include a bibliography as part of this module.
The submission of creative work allows students to develop the range of skills and knowledge associated with the course. The accompanying essay enables to student reflect critically upon their own creative processes, and to relate these to contemporary theatre.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- SEL2226's Timetable