American Drama Now

This seminar examines current
developments in contemporary American
playwriting. Our investigations will set out on a
dramaturgical footing. We will analyze the
structural, thematic, tonal and theatrical
dimensions of salient new plays while teasing out
the connections to dramatic tradition and
pinpointing the distinctive quality of "newness"
that each of these works presents. The course
will also consider the producing challenges posed
by this writing and explore how the authors of
these plays are forcing institutional theaters to
reassess their programming criteria. Dramatists
may include Annie Baker, Young Jean Lee, Tarell
Alvin McCraney, Rajiv Joseph, Branden
Jacobs-Jenkins, Anne Washburne, Samuel D. Hunter,
Thomas Bradshaw, Will Eno and Suzan-Lori Parks.
In addition to reading at least a play a week,
students will be required to attend three
productions and write three performance reports
(750-1000 words each) on productions in the Los
Angeles area. In addition, each student will be
required to write a 10-12 page final paper
assessing the oeuvre of one of the playwrights
under examination this term.