INDEPENDENT PLAYWRITING & THESIS PROJECTS

PROPOSAL GUIDELINES & TIMETABLES

The approval process for independent playwriting and thesis projectsis designed to foster well-conceived writing that develops strategically over time.Applications are submitted in three phases:

1. Preliminary Proposal:

Complete application form, including short description of proposed work.

2. Final Proposal:

In addition to completing the application form, you are required to submit:

  • An excerpt from your proposed work (10-15 pp. for a play, 5-7 pp. for a thesis)
  • A succinct, one-page synopsis or outline
  • A proposed calendar, (based on the timetable below) specifying deadlines and conference dates

3. Term of project materials due:

In the first week of the project (see timetables), students are required to submit the following materials:

Playwriting

  • Revised synopsis
  • Scene breakdown for complete script
  • First third of script

Thesis

  • Revised outline
  • Introduction
  • Bibliography

Proposals will be judged for clarity and appropriateness of the project based on the student’s demonstrated ability to a) meet deadlines, b) benefit from criticism, and c) produce high-quality work.

Your process paper should be a comprehensive reflection on the major challenges, breakthroughs, and tactical decisions you made while writing and developing your script. It should refer to pertinent research, and other influences, and comment on the lessons learned from working with actors. It should include a discussion of the script's strengths and weaknesses, along with any ideas you might have for future revision. The style of the paper need not be formal, but the writing should be thoughtful, concise, and free of obvious errors.

PLAYWRITING TIMETABLE

Each of the due dates indicated below will be followed by a script conference with the primary advisor.

Week 1

  • Revised synopsis
  • Scene breakdown for complete script
  • First third of script

Week 3

First half of script

Week 5

Revised first half of script

Private reading of first half of script

Week 8

Second half of script

Week 10

Revision of complete script

Public reading of entire script

Week 12

Final script due

Week 13

Process Paper (10-15 pp.)

Defense

Note on Written work for Playwriting 700’s

In addition to your full-length script, playwrights are required to submit a 10-15 page process paper

Your process paper should be a comprehensive reflection on the major challenges, breakthroughs, and tactical decisions you made while writing and developing your script. It should refer to pertinent research, and other influences, and comment on the lessons learned from working with actors. It should include a discussion of the script's strengths and weaknesses, along with any ideas you might have for future revision. The style of the paper need not be formal, but the writing should be thoughtful, concise, and free of obvious errors.

THESIS TIMETABLE

Each of the due dates indicated below will be followed by a conference with the primary advisor.

Week 1

  • Revised outline
  • Introduction
  • Bibliography

Week 3

Introduction (including scope, method, historical background)

Week 5

First one-third of document

Week 7

Second third of document

Week 9

Final third of document

Week 11

Complete document

Week 12

Final revisions due

Schedule defense

Note on Written work for Thesis 700’s

The thesis written work should take the form of a process journal charting the evolution of the topic, discoveries and alterations along the way, important research which set you on the right course, frustrations, etc.

11/7/2018