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.
For course descriptions, electives, and additional information, please view the David Geffen School of Drama Bulletin.
Class of 2024
Year Two (2021-2022)
DRAM 3a/b - Toward Anti-Racist Theater Practice: Katie Christie
DRAM 7a - Hansberry Welcome: Anne Erbe
DRAM 21a - Founding Visions: Joan Channick
DRAM 47a - Fall Workshop: Anne Erbe, Tarell Alvin McCraney
DRAM 47b - Spring Workshop: Anne Erbe
DRAM 50a - The Theatrical Event: Liz Diamond, Catherine Sheehy
DRAM 51a/b - New Play Lab
DRAM 163b - Text Analysis I: James Bundy
DRAM 177a/b - The Playwrights’ Studio: Anne Erbe, Tarell Alvin McCraney
DRAM 863a - Authentic Collaboration: Ben Krywosz
Year Three (2022-2023)
DRAM 7a - Hansberry Welcome: Anne Erbe
DRAM 27a/b27b - Second-Year Anchor Class: Theater Now (NYC): Amy Herzog
DRAM 37a - The Production Process for Playwrights: Anne Erbe
DRAM 47a - Fall Workshop: Anne Erbe, Tarell Alvin McCraney
DRAM 47b - Spring Workshop: Anne Erbe
DRAM 177a/b - The Playwrights’ Studio: Anne Erbe, Tarell Alvin McCraney
DRAM 207a Teach What You Write: Majkin Holmquist
DRAM 307b - Tutorial I: Sarah Ruhl
Year Four (2023-2024)
DRAM 7a - Hansberry Welcome: Anne Erbe
DRAM 37a/b - The Production Process for Playwrights: Anne Erbe
DRAM 47a - Fall Workshop: Anne Erbe, Tarell Alvin McCraney
DRAM 47b - Spring Workshop: Anne Erbe
DRAM 177b - The Playwrights’ Studio: Anne Erbe, Tarell Alvin McCraney
DRAM 317a - Tutorial II: Amy Herzog
DRAM 327b - Tutorial III
Class of 2023
Year Three (2021-2022)
DRAM 3a/b - Toward Anti-Racist Theater Practice: Katie Christie
DRAM 7a - Hansberry Welcome: Anne Erbe
DRAM 27b - Second-Year Anchor Class: Theater Now (NYC): Amy Herzog
DRAM 37a - The Production Process for Playwrights: Anne Erbe
DRAM 47a - Fall Workshop: Anne Erbe, Tarell Alvin McCraney
DRAM 47b - Spring Workshop: Anne Erbe
DRAM 177a/b - The Playwrights’ Studio: Anne Erbe, Tarell Alvin McCraney
DRAM 207a - Teach What You Write: Majkin Holmquist
DRAM 307b - Tutorial I: Sarah Ruhl
Year Four (2022-2023)
DRAM 7a - Hansberry Welcome: Anne Erbe
DRAM 37a/b - The Production Process for Playwrights: Anne Erbe
DRAM 47a - Fall Workshop: Anne Erbe, Tarell Alvin McCraney
DRAM 47b - Spring Workshop: Anne Erbe
DRAM 177b - The Playwrights’ Studio: Anne Erbe, Tarell Alvin McCraney
DRAM 317a - Tutorial II: Amy Herzog
DRAM 327b - Tutorial III
Production
First-year playwrights participate in The Collaborative Process (DRAM 50a) and also write a one-act play for the New Play Lab (DRAM 51b) in the spring. In the spring and summer of the first year, playwrights write a full-length play that is then redrafted, rehearsed, and staged in the first term of their second year (Langston Hughes Festival). By the third year, playwrights will have written a roster of full-length plays, and one of those plays is selected to be fully designed and produced in repertory in their final term (Carlotta Festival of New Plays). All plays are subject to the approval of the chair prior to rehearsal.
Electives
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 344b, Advanced Projection Design; DRAM 102a/b, Scene Design; DRAM 141b; Law and the Arts; and DRAM 191b, Managing the Production Process. All plans of study must be approved by the chairs.