Why Study Writing for the Stage?

To articulate your voice and vision through dramatic action is an act of empowerment. Playwriting expands the mind. It requires you to think critically, trust your instincts, see new and differing points of view, and respond to difficult and challenging problems.

On a more profound level, the writing of a play asks you to not just engage with the world around you but to reflect and illuminate it. And whether you become a professionally produced playwright or completely change career direction, the defined sense of self and your ability to speak truth will serve you in all aspects of your life.

Why Study Writing for the Stage at MMC?

The Writing for the Stage concentration at MMC focuses first and foremost on creating a community that is safe yet engaging, inclusive, encouraging, and highly individualized. Our program elevates respect and collaboration in order to empower you to let your true voice land on the page and ultimately in front of an audience.

You are immersed in the study of core concepts such as world, character, opposition, sequence and language while simultaneously exploring issues of identity, race, gender, class and social justice in your own work as well as in the work of established and emerging writers. From these studies, you are asked to explore the very nature of what writing a play means to you. Do you want to write well-made plays? Ill-behaved plays? Some kind of hybrid? Anything is possible.

Along with several production opportunities, you have the chance to see your work on its feet through short play festivals and student produced events. In addition, you learn about the profession of Playwriting through connecting with alumni who are working in the field and opportunities to intern at one of the many theatres that focus on new play development in New York City. You are also encouraged to explore other forms of dramatic writing including film, TV, gaming and mixed media.

What You Will Learn

• You will learn the foundational elements of dramatic writing – voice, action, place and time. You will then utilize these elements to reflect back, challenge and question the world around them through their original works.
• You will be exposed to the works and theory of a variety of writers who amplify the voices and stories of historically under and unrepresented communities and be able to articulate how these works and voices are vital to the future of the American Theatre.
• You will engage in a full production experience – seeing your play move from the page to the stage and along the way acquire skills for collaboration, casting, rewriting and revision and how to assess audience feedback.
• You will learn how to articulate an individual creative process that is sustainable and malleable.
• You will understand the landscape of new play development and production in the American Theatre and will acquire the skills needed to enter the professional field.