Playwriting MA, PGDip, PGCert drafted

Program Overview

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Gain direct access to the London theatre industry and the opportunity to write your own full-length play

• Write scripts ready for performance, including a full-length thesis play
• Modules delivered by leading industry professionals

The UK theatre scene is a world leader in the creation of new plays, showcasing the most exciting voices in drama.

On the MA Playwriting degree, you will learn the building blocks of the dramatic craft and gain practical experience of the London theatre industry, through:

• reading and analyzing the most exciting contemporary scripts
• attending live theatre in London and meeting theatre-makers
• visiting lectures from industry professionals in a range of roles
• experience of theatre research and critical writing
• the Creative Workshop (a dynamic module across two semesters) on which you will create your own full-length thesis play
• insight into the Business of Playwriting and starting your career

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Why St Mary's

You'll learn directly from a range of artists working at both ‘fringe’ and more established institutions.

In our current academic year, guest lecturers have worked at venues like the

National Theatre

,

The Old Vic

,

The Bush

,

Sheffield Crucible

,

Manchester Royal Exchange

,

The Lyric Hammersmith

and

Headlong

. These included:

• Matthew Xia (Director,

  Actors Touring Company

  ),
• Guy Jones (Director/Dramaturg,

  Orange Tree Theatre

  ),
• Steve Harper (Literary Manager,

  Theatre 503

  )
• Jon Britain (Writer,

  Rotterdam

  )
• Chris Bush (Writer,

  Faustus: That Damned Woman

  , Standing at the Sky’s Edge)

Students participated in behind-the-scenes visits to venues like the

Orange Tree

,

Hampstead Theatre

, and

Theatre 503

. They gained valuable work experience with literary departments and also conducted research at the

National Theatre Archive

.

You will complete the course with an invaluable grounding in how the theatre really operates, and gain a headstart in navigating your own writing career.

Drama St Mary’s

offers a range Drama training programmes at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Our courses aim to offer the very best academic and practical instruction, underpinned by a supportive university environment. The programmes are taught by an experienced team of academics and a collection of professional visiting practitioners.

London is the theatre capital of the world, allowing you to benefit from a diverse variety of theatre and art. The degree expands on our established links with London theatre venues and organisations, giving you the most relevant and up-to-date training.

Drama St Mary's also offers a Master's degree in

London Theatre

.

Dr Michelle Paull

Associate Professor in Drama

Program Outline

Course content

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Modules

The modules listed below are the modules that were available to students in the 2022/23 academic year and are illustrative of what may be offered for 2023/24.

Please note:

it is possible that a module listed on the website will not be able to run due to reasons beyond our control. For more information please refer to our

course information disclaimer

.

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How the degree is taught

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Teaching methods

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Assessment methods

Lecture seminars are assessed through essays. The remaining modules are assessed through creative written pieces, including your final playwriting project – your very own full-length play.

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Career opportunities

Drama St Mary’s graduates have gone on to work in a range of related arts industries. Our courses prepare students to find consistent, professional work in their chosen field.

The module

The Business of Playwriting

aims to introduce students to a range of new writing networks as well as look closely at funding for projects, commissions, publishing and being a writer every day.