How to Get a Dramaturgy Minor

STEP ONE to getting a Dramaturgy Minor: Declare your interest

In order to declare your interest in the minor you must write a short proposal which explains why you would like to complete the minor and how to plan to do it. The proposal should name the courses you would like to take for your four course suite (see below) and it should explain, in brief, how you see these courses tied together. The document should be no more than one page and will be read and evaluated by the Dramaturgy Faculty Coordinator, Lauren Whitehead.

You must also communicate with your Student Advisor to make sure that you can organize your overall coursework to complete the required courses for the minor. Once your Advisor assesses that you can complete your course load, and you’ve completed the personal essay, the Student Advisor will confirm that you have officially declared your pursuit of the Minor.

STEP TWO: Complete four (4) four-credit courses that qualify for the minor, including an introductory Dramaturgy course

This minor is meant to guide your specific interest in dramaturgy and to help you articulate your particular orientation toward the field. Part of the process of completing the minor is working with the Dramaturgy Minor Faculty Coordinator to develop a suite of courses that makes the most sense for you and your interests. In addition to a required introductory course in Dramaturgy a list of other qualifying courses can be found below. You may always appeal to the Director of the Dramaturgy Minor to have other classes included. Students need to receive a letter grade of C or better in any given course for it to count towards the Minor.

Any one of these courses will satisfy the introductory course requirement:

• THEA-UT 636 Dramaturgy: What it is, What it ain't 
• THEA-UT 632 -Theatrical Genres: Interdisciplinary Dramaturgy
• THEAT-UH 1125J Dramaturgies of Disruption (Abu Dhabi)

STEP THREE: Participate in two Dramaturgy Think Tanks 

For the successful completion of the minor, you must agree to attend two meetings over the course of your studies to think and engage with other Tisch Drama students pursuing the Dramaturgy minor. Think Tank meetings will be 2 hours each. In between your first and second think tank, you will have the opportunity to check in one on one with the director of the dramaturgy minor. This meeting will be scheduled individually. 

Your first Think Tank will be completed the semester after you declare your minor in which you will present your plans for your suite of courses and your understanding of why you have chosen them. Your second Think Tank will take place during the final semester of your graduating year and will give you the opportunity to reflect on your course of study. This reflection should succinctly communicate what you’re thinking dramaturgically about or what you’re thinking about dramaturgy.

Think Tank Dates:

Spring 2025 (Location TBD)

• Thursday, February 6th, 2-4pm
• Tuesday, March 11th, 4-6pm
• Thursday, April 10th, 6-8pm
• Note: attendance is required at one of the above meetings for all
  students who declared the minor in Fall of ‘24 and two for all
  students who are graduating in Spring ‘25.

Summer 2025 (Location TBD)

• Tuesday June 3rd, 6-8pm

Fall 2025 (Location TBD)

• Tuesday, September 16th, 2-4pm
• Tuesday, October 14th, 4-6pm
• Thursday, November 13th, 6-8pm

STEP FOUR: Participate in a Theater Development or Process related event in the real world

At any time during your studies, you will be required to attend at least one theater development or process-related event. You will need to (write a short 1-2 page reflection on your experience to submit to the director of the dramaturgy minor and) report back on your experience in your final Dramaturgy Think Tank. 

These events may include: 

• Play readings or development workshops 
• Panel discussions or artist interviews 
• Public lectures or presentations 
• Participation as a dramaturg on a Tisch production