Playwriting Course

Advanced Course: Free Adaptation

Please note: applications for Griffin's ten-week advanced playwriting course are now closed.

This new course focuses on the writing of an original play loosely based on an existing classic. Writers are given an enduring dramatic work from which they write their own – fresh, relevant and personal - new, full-length play. The idea behind this approach is two-fold. Firstly, it gives the writers a sense of complete creative freedom, along with the security of a failsafe structure. Secondly, through the deep investigation of a classic work, the writers absorb an understanding of how all the elements of drama are effectively employed.

Griffin's advanced playwriting course will be led by playwright and educator Hilary Bell. Hilary's plays include Wolf Lullaby, Memmie Le Blanc, Shot While Dancing, Eye of the Storm and The Falls. Hilary has taught playwriting and screenwriting in the USA at New York University, The University of the South (Tennessee) and Wesleyan (Connecticut), as well as in high schools around New York and locally at ATYP and for Page to Stage.

WHEN: 10 SEPTEMBER - 12 NOVEMBER (Wed nights 6.30-9.30pm, Note - class 6 held on Thurs 16 Oct & class 9 on Tue 4 Nov). 

WHERE: Rex Centre, Kings Cross

COST: $550 - limited to 12 participants. 

FURTHER INFORMATION & TO ENROL: Contact the Griffin office on 9332 1052 or email belinda@griffintheatre.com.au.  Please note, participants are required to have playwriting experience.

Playwriting 1

Griffin's general playwriting course runs one night per week for ten weeks and is suitable for both beginners and those with playwriting experience.  The course covers the basics of writing for the stage: character, plot, structure, dialogue, dramatic action, mood, and tone; the use of image and symbol and the impact of sound, lighting and design. Writers start with the writing of an effective scene and build towards a first draft of a short play. Playwriting 1 will next be held in 2009.  If you are interested in participating, we recommend you join our mailing list for advanced notification of the 2009 schedule. The number of applications made for this course typically exceeds available places.