The Goldberg Department of Dramatic Writing MFA is a two-year program that trains students in the three mediums of dramatic writing: theater, film and episodic series.
It is the mission of the department to teach students the basics of dramatic storytelling while preparing them for their futures as professional writers. We believe that cross training writers in more than one medium makes them stronger and more flexible writers.
Students in the Goldberg Department of Dramatic Writing MFA program will take core writing classes, text analysis courses, production process courses and pre-professional training courses.
YEAR ONE
In the first year, all graduate students take introductory writing classes in the three mediums of playwriting, screenwriting and episodic writing. By the end of their first year they will have written two of the following three original, full-length works; a full-length play, a full-length screenplay or a full-length episodic pilot. Students will also take text analysis, production, lab classes and pre-professional training classes that complement the writing classes.
YEAR TWO
In the second year, students will take advanced writing classes which lead toward a master's thesis (a full-length dramatic work) in one of the three mediums. In addition to the thesis work, students work on a second full-length project in a different medium. Second-year students may also take special seminars, master classes, workshop classes and colloquia in which guest speakers from the industry discuss their own work and current topics in the entertainment business as they relate to writers. Students may take an optional internship for credit, which is encouraged but not required.