Due to the COVID-19 virus, the Tisch Summer High School Dramatic Writing program will not be taking place in New York City. The courses in this program will be offered remotely or online with asynchronous and synchronous components. Below is the updated program information. Students accepted to this program will also receive communication via email.
Hone your creative writing talents to produce dramatic works, learning what it takes to be a professional writer for the stage or screen.
Program Overview
The Rita and Burton Goldberg Department of Dramatic Writing offers a highly focused academic and professional writing program for students who have the talent and the will to write for theatre, film, and television.
The combination of screenwriting and playwriting will give you an exciting introduction to the world of dramatized storytelling. The lectures in this program will help you explore the nature and principles of dramatic action, the relationship between character and circumstance, and how dramatic structure arises from these foundations.
In the workshop sessions, you'll present work, which is then reviewed, critiqued, and rewritten. In screenwriting, this process results in an outline and the partial scripting of a full-length screenplay; in playwriting, it culminates in a polished monologue and ten-minute play. Your monologues will be directed and acted by professional actors and directors who work with the department on a regular basis. Later, you and your classmates will work together as a repertory company to rehearse, critique, and rewrite your work in preparation for the virtual final showcase on the last day of classes.
Readings of plays and screenplays along with screenings of movies and tapes of important theatrical productions complement the course work. After class, you will have the opportunity to attend virtual theatre events and instructor-led Q&A panel discussions with established playwrights, screenwriters, TV writers, and other industry experts.
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"The classes I took were so thought compelling and encouraged me even more to continue my passion for writing. My peers and I grew to find an inseparable bond and learned to work together and learn from one another.” — Jessica Jacobs
CORE CURRICULUM
Students take the following courses for a combined total of 6 units.
(Within New York University, 6 units count towards elective credit in the Department of Dramatic Writing at Tisch School of the Arts.)
The lectures given in this program explore the nature and principles of dramatic action, the relationship between character and circumstance, and how dramatic structure arises from these foundations. In the workshop sessions, students present their work, which is then reviewed, critiqued, and rewritten. In screenwriting, this process results in an outline and the partial scripting of a full-length screenplay. Readings of screenplays and screenings of movies complement the course work. Students will also have several film story analysis sessions.
Tools and Technical Requirements:
Zoom
NYU Classes
Computer with strong internet connection (and video/microphone); it would be useful for a student to have access to a smartphone or other digital recording device to record and upload video
The lectures given in this program explore the nature and principles of dramatic action, the relationship between character and circumstance, and how dramatic structure arises from these foundations. In the workshop sessions, students present their work, which is then reviewed, critiqued, and rewritten. In playwriting, it culminates in a 10-minute play. Students work together as a repertory company to rehearse, critique, and rewrite their plays, and on the last day of classes, they have the opportunity to perform their work. In addition, students will write monologues that are directed and acted by professional actors and directors who work with the department on a regular basis. Readings of classic plays and tapes of important theatrical productions complement the course work.
Classes take place Monday through Friday, with one of playwriting or screenwriting from 10am -1pm. and the other from 2pm - 5pm (Eastern Time).
Students will have time to write and work independently and collaboratively during and after class.
Asynchronous time may be spent screening films/television shows, reading plays, watching lectures, etc.
After class, students will have the opportunity to attend live virtual theatre events and instructor-led Q&A panel discussions with industry professionals.
Tisch has a limited number of full scholarships for high school students to attend the Tisch summer programs. Scholarships are given to students who demonstrate the most financial need.
