New Work/New Voices (DRA2306.02)

Dina Janis

This course is a dramatic literature course that will focus on new work by playwrights currently working today in the American Theatre. It is a class that is designed for actors, playwrights, directors, and designers who are interested in expanding their canon of contemporary dramatic literature, both published and unpublished, written by writers producing and generating work today. During the semester, several professional playwrights will be brought in as guests for Zoom Q & A. The class will read 3 plays each week and students will research the playwrights involved, exploring their backgrounds and play production histories. We will also look at current initiatives by groups such as artEquity, TCG’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Initiative, HowlRound, The Lily Awards and the Kilroy List, to level the playing field in terms of equitable theatre production and we will attempt to explore the systemic reasons for this racial and gender inequity where produced playwrights are concerned. Work will include: play discussion, written responses to plays, analytical critical essay writing, research and in-depth discussion as well as occasional creative writing assignments. Writers covered might include: Stephen Adly Guirgis, Cusi Cram, A. Rey Pamatmat, Lynn Nottage, Tanya Saracho, Lauren Yee, Mona Mansour, Sherry Kramer, Martyna Majok, David Henry Hwang, Julia Cho, Octavio Solis, Adam Rapp, Christopher Chen, Brandon Jacob-Jenkins, Louis Alfaro, Jackie Sibbles Drury, Jeremy O. Harris, Melinda Lopez, Kate Atwell, Chisa Hutchinson, Kate Cortesi, Antoinette Nwandu, Matthew Lopez, Lucas Hnath, Sarah DeLappe, Quiara Alegria Hudes, Dominique Morisseau, Karen Zacarias, Paula Vogel, Joshua Harmon, Theresa Rebeck, Steven Deitz, Sarah Ruhl, Annie Baker, Duncan MacMillan, Qui Nguyen, among others.

Tools needed: Access to a device that allows for synchronized or unsynchronized attendance for this discussion based class. Ability to download digital written material/scripts for reading. Headphones if possible. In the case of non synchronized class attendance, written responses to each play will be required.


Learning Outcomes:



Delivery Method: Hybrid in-person and remote, with faculty remote
Prerequisites:None.
Course Level: 2000-level
Credits: 4
M/Th 8:30AM-12:10PM (2nd seven weeks)
Maximum Enrollment: 16
Course Frequency: One time only

Categories: All courses , Drama
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