Playwriting
Plan of Study
The required sequence of courses is detailed below. Each term, a student is required to take at least one writing course and/or anchor class. More than one writing workshop/course may be taken. In addition, throughout the year, the Playwriting program hosts guest classes and workshops with visiting artists.
Students are encouraged to take electives as audits beyond their required credit courses. Electives may also be selected from other School programs or from Yale College with the approval of the chairs. The program recommends playwriting students enroll in at least one course in Directing, Design, Theater Management, and Dramaturgy and Dramatic Criticism during their three years at the School. Among the electives for consideration are DRAM 66a, Lyric Writing for Musical Theater; DRAM 67b, Libretto Writing for Musical Theater; DRAM 350b, The Choreographic Imagination; DRAM 334b, Advanced Projection Design; DRAM 102a/b, Introduction to Set Design and Design Techniques; DRAM 141b; Law and the Arts; and DRAM 191b, Managing the Production Process. All plans of study must be approved by the chairs.
For course descriptions, electives, and additional information, please view the David Geffen School of Drama Bulletin.
Class of 2028
Year One (2025-2026)
DRAM 3(05)a - Foundations of Anti-Oppressive New Play Development: Katie Christie, Anne Erbe, Haruna Lee
DRAM 4b - Critical Response Process®: Liz Lerman, Paloma McGregor
DRAM 7a - Hansberry Welcome: Anne Erbe, Marcus Gardley, Katie Christie
DRAM 47a - Fall Workshop: Majkin Holmquist
DRAM 50a - The Theatrical Event: Liz Diamond, Catherine Sheehy
DRAM 51a/b - New Play Lab: Faculty
DRAM 53a - Authentic Collaboration: Ben Krywosz
DRAM 97a/b - Industry Practice I: Jennifer Kiger
DRAM 107b - Workshop with Actors: Anne Erbe
DRAM 127a - Playwrights and Directors Practicum: Marcus Gardley, Liz Diamond
Year Two (2026-2027)
DRAM 7a - Hansberry Welcome: Anne Erbe, Marcus Gardley, Katie Christie
DRAM 27b - Second-Year Anchor Class: Theater Now (NYC): Sarah Ruhl
DRAM 37a - The Production Process: LH Festival: Anne Erbe
DRAM 47a - Fall Workshop: Majkin Holmquist
DRAM 107b - Workshop with Actors: Anne Erbe
DRAM 207a - Teach What You Write: Majkin Holmquist
DRAM 307b - Tutorial I: Faculty
Year Three (2027-2028)
DRAM 7a - Hansberry Welcome: Anne Erbe, Marcus Gardley, Katie Christie
DRAM 37a/b - The Production Process: Carlotta Festival Anne Erbe
DRAM 47a - Fall Workshop: Majkin Holmquist
DRAM 87a - Writing for Film and Television: Marcus Gardley
DRAM 97a/b - Industry Practice II: Jennifer Kiger
DRAM 107b - Workshop with Actors: Anne Erbe
DRAM 317a - Tutorial II: Faculty
DRAM 327b - Tutorial III: Faculty
Class of 2027
Year Two (2025-2026)
DRAM 7a - Hansberry Welcome: Anne Erbe, Marcus Gardley, Katie Christie
DRAM 27b - Second-Year Anchor Class: Theater Now (NYC): Marcus Gardley
DRAM 37a - The Production Process: LH Festival: Anne Erbe, Dustin Wills
DRAM 47a - Fall Workshop: Sarah Ruhl
DRAM 87b - Writing for Film and Television:
DRAM 107b - Workshop with Actors: Marcus Gardley
DRAM 207a - Teach What You Write: Majkin Holmquist
DRAM 307b - Tutorial I: Faculty
Year three (2026-2027)
DRAM 7a - Hansberry Welcome: Anne Erbe
DRAM 37b - The Production Process: Carlotta Festival: Anne Erbe, Dustin Wills
DRAM 47a - Fall Workshop: Sarah Ruhl
DRAM 97a - Industry Practice II: Jennifer Kiger
DRAM 317a - Tutorial II: Faculty
DRAM 327b - Tutorial III: Faculty
Class of 2026
Year Three (2025-2026)
DRAM 7a - Hansberry Welcome: Anne Erbe, Marcus Gardley, Katie Christie
DRAM 37b - The Production Process: Carlotta Festival: Anne Erbe, Dustin Wills
DRAM 47a - Fall Workshop: Majkin Holmquist
DRAM 97a - Industry Practice II: Jennifer Kiger
DRAM 317a - Tutorial II: Faculty
DRAM 327b - Tutorial III: Faculty
Additional Requirements for the Degree
Anti-Racist Theater Practice Requirement
Playwriting students are required to enroll in DRAM 3(05)a, Toward Anti-Racist Theater Practice in Playwriting, in order to fulfill the School’s anti-racist theater practice requirement. Combined with the prerequisite workshop, Everyday Justice: Anti-Racism as Daily Practice, this course offers vital strategies for the lifelong development of individual and communal anti-racist practice.
Theater History Requirement
Playwriting students are strongly encouraged to enroll in DRAM 6a/b, Survey of Theater and Drama, in order to fulfil the School’s theater history requirement. One to two courses in theater history offered by David Geffen School of Drama or Yale College may be substituted for DRAM 6a and/or 6b with the following conditions: 1) the student has the program chairs’ approval; 2) the student has the course instructors’ approval; 3) a thorough vetting by program chairs and work-study supervisors of any potential schedule conflicts.
Participation in Commencement
A Playwriting student who has received a grade of Pass in all required courses may participate in Commencement ceremonies. If any grades of Incomplete remain in required courses, the student may be allowed to participate if they have a written plan, including a schedule, for completing the outstanding work that has been approved by both the instructor and the Playwriting chairs. The degree in playwriting, however, will only be conferred when the Playwriting student has successfully resolved the Incomplete grade.