In part one, the aim is to develop proficiency in the analysis of play scripts and to develop practical skills rather than to accumulate factual information. The analytic exercises should not be undertaken in the sense of “how would I direct, or even re-write this play” but instead should attempt to answer the question “how does this play work?” As theatre professionals, it is important that we learn to use the raw material of a script, and that our sense of what is theatrical about dramatic text emerges from empirical work with a playwright’s language.

The second part of the course will consist of working with scenes from the plays analyzed and staging them with actors, using the understanding we’ve acquired in our analytical work. Special emphasis will fall on learning to articulate the world of the play in a way that galvanizes collaboration.

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