Course Type Descriptions
Foundation
Foundation courses are reading, lecture, and discussion courses, intended to give students the tools necessary to analyze and apply principles across the spectrum of being a theatrical writer. Although these courses tend to be among the largest at the DGI, class sizes are still capped at around 20 students in order to ensure maximum participation.
Core Workshops
Core writing workshops help students to work on the fundamentals of writing, such as strong structure, dialogue, character, and conflict. These workshops are not intended to be "Intro to Dramatic Writing" courses; they are detailed and specific studies into students' own writing, as well as other works from the theatrical canon, with the goal of strengthening students’ craft and skillsets.
Specialty Writing Workshops
Specialty writing workshops address specific topics with the goal of aiding students who are beginning new work in that particular genre. Unlike foundation courses and core writing workshops, the topics addressed in their specialty classes change frequently; the same workshops are not necessarily offered from year to year.
Specialty ElectiveWorkshops
Specialty Elective Workshops offer an in-depth look at a particular theme or topic. These courses are discussion-based seminar style classes. They typically require a little more knowledge of theatre as a prerequisite than our basic foundational courses.
While there is typically no writing required, students are often expected to read, watch, or listen to materials in advance, so that they will come to class fully prepared and able to engage in the conversation at hand.
Teen Writing Workshops
Our teen playwriting workshops are designed for teenagers who have already discovered playwriting and want to further develop their skills. Led by award-winning playwright Crystal Skillman, students meet weekly to read, share, and discuss dramatic writing.
Our teen classes are subsidized, in order to provide low cost (or no cost) access for teenagers from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.