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University of Glasgow: Playwriting and Dramaturgy

Institution University of Glasgow View institution profile
Department School of Culture & Creative Arts
Web www.glasgow.ac.uk/
Study type Taught

Summary

This Masters gives you a practical and theoretical engagement with the many forms of writing and production for theatre. Blending practice, theory and history, the programme is designed for those wishing to develop playwriting skills and knowledge of script development and support, opening the way to many theatre roles, including dramaturgy. You will learn about the changing roles of the playwright and dramaturge in contemporary theatre in the UK and elsewhere around the world, and be supported to define your own creative practice while developing valuable transferable skills in research, project management and critical reflection.

In addition to being taught by world-class scholars, you will work with professional writers, dramaturgs and theatre-makers ensuring you engage with a wide variety of practices and that the programme content is relevant and up to date with the latest trends in theatre.

The programme includes the opportunity for playwrights to develop a major script through workshops and staged readings with professional actors and theatre directors.

In addition to being taught by world-class scholars, you will work with professional writers, dramaturgs and theatre-makers ensuring you engage with a wide variety of practices and that the programme content is relevant and up to date with the latest trends in theatre. The programme includes the opportunity for playwrights to develop a major script through workshops and staged readings with professional actors and theatre directors. * In addition to masterclasses and workshops with external specialists, the work placement option and visiting speaker series build on our long-term links and collaborations with an extensive number of theatre practitioners and arts organisations. These include the National Theatre of Scotland, the Playwrights’ Studio, The Tron Theatre, the Citizens’ Theatre, and A Play, A Pie and A Pint at Òran Mór. * In recent years the playwriting modules on this programme have been led by acclaimed professional playwrights including Lewis Hetherington and Lynda Radley, and the script workshop by leading director Philip Howard.

Our programme is the only one in Scotland that combines playwriting with dramaturgy. You will undertake core practical playwriting and dramaturgy courses before choosing to specialise in one pathway involving a dramaturgy placement or the creation of a full-length script. You will also produce an independent research-based project over the summer.

Semester 1: September to December

  • RESEARCH METHODS
  • PLAYWRITING 1
  • DEBATING DRAMATURGY

Semester 2: January to March

  • CONTEMPORARY DRAMATURGICAL PRACTICES

Choose one of the following tracks:

  • DRAMATURGY PLACEMENT
  • PLAYWRITING 2
  • PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

You will also take one optional course. You may select this from the options in Theatre Studies or the wider College of Arts. This is an indicative list:

  • 21ST CENTURY THEATRE IN BRITAIN: NEW WRITING IN CONTEXT
  • CONTEMPORARY DEVISING PRACTICES
  • PERFORMING CHARACTER
  • PRACTISING LOCATION: SPACE, PLACE AND LANDSCAPE
  • MAKING TIME: PERFORMING AND THINKING TEMPORALITIES IN THE CREATIVE ARTS
  • DIGITAL ART AND PERFORMANCE (20 CREDITS)
  • FESTIVALS
  • GENDERS
  • QUEER EXCEPTIONS

Summer: April to September

  • INDIVIDUAL RESEARCH PROJECT (DRAMATURGY)

The role of the dramaturg is becoming increasingly recognised within the theatre industries, as is the capacity of playwrights to apply their skills and knowledge to other tasks (including, for example, providing script development support for emerging writers). This programme aims to equip playwrights and potential dramaturges with knowledge of other writing roles in theatre.

The critical components of this programme also provide a good foundation for students wishing to progress to doctoral study. Graduates of this programme have gone on to become commissioned playwrights, production dramaturges, theatre critics, literary advisors, doctoral students, theatre makers and academics.

MLitt

University of Glasgow

The University of Glasgow is one of the UK’s most prestigious seats of learning, and the fourth oldest university in the English speaking world. Established in 1451 and recognised for its world-changing research and teaching, the University has inspired thinkers from eminent scientist Lord Kelvin and the father of economics Adam Smith, to Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. 

Rankings

The University:

  • is ranked 81st in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2023
  • is in the top 100 in the world: Times Higher World University Rankings 2023
  • 95.9% of students in employment or further study 6 months after graduation …
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