Eugenie Trow

Antelope Valley College

Introduction to Playwriting

Probable Schedule of Assignments Spring 2004

THA 225 Introduction to Playwriting
M 7 - 10:05 p.m. in LS1 108
TEXT: "The Playwright's Guidebook,"
by Stuart Spencer ISBN 0-57119991-7

Instructor: Eugenie Trow; OFFICE OF1 116
phone 661-722-6425; etrow@avc.edu
OFFICE HOURS: MW 10:25-11:15 a.m. in OF1 116
 TTh 3-3:50 p.m. in OF1 116

ASSIGNMENTS:
1. Each week there is a Six Lines to write (which is not critiqued - see Writing Exercises), and a written assigment from the text or from handouts.
2. I will explain each writing exercise before it is assigned. Each exercise is due at the class meeting following the week in which it is assigned (unless otherwise noted).
3. Reading assignments are from the text.
4. Read as many plays as you can during the semester. Repeaters will pick one for the Change the Ending Exercise.
5. Suggested length of play that you turn in at the end of class (depending upon how many times you have taken the class):
225A Length about 10 minutes
225B Length about 30 minutes
225C Length about 60 minutes
225D Length 90 or more minutes
6. Repeaters/experienced playwrights may write a play of 30 minutes or more.
7. Repeaters are also free to write any exercises given in class to the 225A students.
8. Repeaters are encouraged to bring a specific project to completion in the course of the semester. To accomplish this make an individual writing plan with me.

PLAY FORMAT:
1. Type all writing exercises so that the actors can read what you wrote. Computers are available in the Learning Center and in SSV 202. (See hours below.)
2. Put CHARACTER NAMES in caps 2 1/2 inches from the left margin; Stage directions in normal case 3 1/2 inches from the left margin
3. Number the pages so that class members can easily find specific dialogue. (In Microsoft Word, under View, it is easy to use Header and Footer for this.)
4. Bring a separate copy for each actor in your scene and for stage directions.
5. For class purposes you may reuse paper by printing copies for actors on the blank sides of copies from previous scenes.
6. Each time you print a new rewrite of a scene, print the date of the current version. (In Microsoft Word, under View, it is easy to use Header and Footer for this.)

HOURS FOR COMPUTERS:
LEARNING CENTER
M-Th 8 am - 8 pm
F 8 am - 3 pm
Sa 9 am - 2 pm
SSV 202
M-Th 8 am - 8 pm
F & Sa 10 am - 4 pm
The schedule is subject to changes which will be announced in class.
TURN IN
READ
WRITE/DO
REPEATERS WRITE/DO
Week 1: Monday February 16

Holiday
Week 2: Monday February 23

WELCOME!

"Tools; Structure; Action," pp. 3-48

1. Six Lines
2. Who is in the Photo Ex.
3. Reserve a ticket for
Topdog/Underdog for Tue. March 16 at 8 pm

1. Six Lines
2. Guts Ex.
3. Reserve a ticket for
Topdog/Underdog for Tue. March 16 at 8 pm

 

 

 

TURN IN
READ
WRITE/DO
REPEATERS WRITE/DO
Week 3: Monday March 1
1. Six Lines
2. A: Who is in the Photo Ex.
BCD:Guts Ex.		 "Motivation; Subtext; Conflict," pp. 49-73
1. Six Lines
2. Time Lock Ex.
3. Break your ritual
4. Reserve a ticket for
Topdog/Underdog for Tue. March 16 at 8 pm

1. Six Lines
2. Discomfort Ex.
3. Break your ritual
4. Reserve a ticket for
Topdog/Underdog for Tue. March 16 at 8 pm

Week 4: Monday March 8
1. Six Lines
2. A: Time Lock Ex.
BCD: Discomfort Ex.
3. Discuss break your ritual
 "Stakes; Hope; Event,"
pp. 74-96
1. Six Lines
2. Harmless/Harmful Ex.
3. Save 1 fascinating news article per day
4. Be sure to have ticket for Topdog/Underdog for next Tue March 16 at 8 pm
 1. Six Lines
2. B finish ~10 pp
C finish ~20 pp
D finish ~25 pp.
3. Save 1 fascinating news article per day
4. Be sure to have ticket for Topdog/Underdog for next Tue March 16 at 8 pm
Week 5: Monday March 15
1. Six Lines
2. A: Harmless/Harmful Ex.
B ~10 pp
C ~20 pp
D ~25 pp.
3. Discus 3 most fascinating articles 		"Beats; Dramatic Elements; Theatre & Drama," pp. 97-126 1. Six Lines
2. Source Ex. or Comedy Ex.
3. Attend Topdpg/Underdog Tue March 16 at 8 pm
 1. Six Lines
2. Repeater Ex.
3. Attend Topdpg/Underdog Tue March 16 at 8 pm
Week 6: Monday March 22

1. Six Lines
2. A: Source Ex. or Comedy Ex.
BCD: Repeater Ex.
3. Report on Topdog/Underdog

"Impulse,"
pp. 127-169

1. Six Lines
2. Hothouse Ex.
3. Each day record dream images and dialogue

 1. Six Lines
2. B finish ~15 pp
C finish ~30 pp
D finish ~45 pp
3. Each day record dream images and dialogue

 

 

TURN IN
READ
WRITE/DO
REPEATERS WRITE/DO
Week 7: Monday March 29
1. Six Lines
2. A: Hothouse Ex.
B ~15 pp
C ~30 pp
D ~45 pp .
3. Discuss dream images and dialogue
 "Character,"
pp. 170-203
 1. Six Lines
2. Sympathetic Evil Character Ex.
3. Save one unusual overheard dialogue each day		 1. Six Lines
2. Repeater Ex.
3. Save one unusual overheard dialogue each day
Week 8: Moday April 12 (April 5-10 spring break)

1. Six Lines
2. A: Sympathetic Evil Character Ex.
BCD: Repeater Ex.
3. Discuss 3 most unusual overheard dialogue examples

 "Journey," pp. 204-219 1. Six Lines
2. Character, Place, Object Ex.
3. Reserve ticket for M. Butterfly for Thur June 3 at 8 pm

1. Six Lines
2. B finish 25 pp
C finish ~45pp
D finish ~70 pp.
3. Reserve ticket for M. Butterfly for Thur June 3 at 8 pm

Week 9: Monday April 19
1. Six Lines
2. A: Character, Place, Object Ex.
B ~25 pp
C ~45pp
D ~70 p 		"Rewriting; Exposition,"
pp. 223-263		 1. Six Lines
2. COMPLETE FIRST DRAFT		 1. Six Line
2. COMPLETE FIRST DRAFT
B: Finish ~30 pp
C: Finish ~60 pp
D: Finish ~90 pp
Week 10: Monday April 26

1. Six Lines
2. FIRST DRAFT:
A: ~10 pp
B: ~30 pp
C: ~60 pp
D: ~90 pp

 "Stuck; Some Advice"
pp. 264-293
 1. Six Lines
2. Rewrite Scene
3. Reserve ticket for M. Butterfly for Thur June 3 at 8 pm

1. Six Lines
2. Rewrite Scene
3. Reserve ticket for M. Butterfly for Thur June 3 at 8 pm

Week 11: Monday May 3

1. Six Lines
2. Rewritten Scene
3. Plan Readings

"Practical Advice"
pp. 294-317
 1. Six Lines
2. Rewrite Scene

1. Six Lines
2. Rewrite Scene

 

 

TURN IN
READ
WRITE/DO
REPEATERS WRITE/DO
Week 12: Monday May 10(Fri. May 14th is the last day to drop with grade"W")
1. Six Lines
2. Rewritten Scene
3. Plan Readings
1. Six Lines
2. Rewrite Scene
4. Reserve ticket for M. Butterfly for Thur June 3 at 8 pm 		1. Six Lines
2. Rewrite Scene
4. Reserve ticket for M. Butterfly for Thur June 3 at 8 pm
TURN IN
READ
WRITE/DO
REPEATERS WRITE/DO
Week 13: Monday May 17
1. Current Draft of Excerpt for Readings (copies for all actors and stage directions)
2. Rehearse Readings
1. Rewrite Excerpt in order to turn in copies of Production Draft for actors and stage directions to rehearse
2. Fill out information form for program		 1. Rewrite Excerpt in order to turn in copies of Production Draft for actors and stage directions to rehearse
2. Fill out information form for program
Week 14: Monday May 24

1. Production Draft of Excerpt for Readings (copies for all actors and stage directions)
2. Information for program
3. Rehearse Readings

 

 1. Final Draft of Whole Play
2. Thank you notes to give out at Readings
3. Be sure to have ticket for M. Butterfly for Thur June 3 at 8 pm

1. Final Draft of Whole Play
2. Thank you notes to give out at Readings
3. Be sure to have ticket for M. Butterfly for Thur June 3 at 8 pm

Week 15: Monday May 31

Holiday

   Attend M. Butterfly Thur June 3 at 8 pm Attend M. Butterfly Thur June 3 at 8 pm
Week 16: Monday June 7 (May 31 Holiday)

FINAL DRAFT OF WHOLE PLAY

READINGS!
   
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