The Dynamic Stage
The Dynamic Stage has a practical “nuts and bolts” approach and will be particularly beneficial to those who are already developing a play concept. The course includes a session with guest professional directors such as Chris Bendall, Artistic Director of Deckchair Theatre Company and Ray Omedei. It ends with a reading by professional actors of the participants’ work.
In recent years the course has been a sell-out. Participants have raved… “Very enjoyable… simple, easily understood, practical and inspiring… great course… challenging and very productive… very worthwhile program… delightful… most of us have an intention to keep meeting to share and encourage each other… stimulating and inspiring… the professional reading of our work was so helpful…thanks for the contagious enthusiasm”
The course covers topics such as… Dramatic structure and genres, building characters, dialogue, narrative and plot, obeying impulses and avoiding writer’s block, the writer as a team member and getting the work onto the stage. It is applicable to drama and comedy, solo shows and radio drama..
For further information regarding dates and enrolments, contact the Stages Office.
“A good balance of theory and action.” “John has a fantastic depth of knowledge and range of experience.” “Had a ball!”
“Stimulating and encouraging.” “Does what most writing courses fail to do - remind you that writing should be fun.” “…an excellent array of practical writing and theory.”
“What a fantastic way to get feedback and to experience the dramatic process”
Studio Director
John Aitken is a Perth based playwright who has written over 30 plays including Some Other Town, Watershed, Daisy Bates and the Dancer (Festival of Perth 1993), Converging Lines, The Song of the Earth,The Ships Pass Quietly, Lost is My Quiet and Imperial Façade. John is a staff member of the International School's Theatre Association and regularly visits other countries to work with young writers and performers. He has taught scriptwriting for WAAPA, ECU and the AWG. He also works as a script assessor and dramaturge.
Topics Covered
- What is structure?
Constructing the drama. Using structure to liberate your play, to free you to write the play you must write. - Building character
People are more complicated than ideas. Creating complex characters that actors will want to bring to life. Exploring the work of Michael Chekhov in ‘Discovering the Centre’ and ‘The Imaginary Body’. - Being part of a team
Working with the actors, the director and the designer. What does a dramaturge do? Role playing. - Understanding dramatic genres
Is tragedy really dead? Does melodrama really deserve its bad reputation? Can comedy be farcical? Constructing a thriller. - On your own!
The one-person play has become increasingly popular in recent years. This segment of the course will explore useful techniques for bringing the solo play alive. - Radio drama
It has been rightly said that radio drama is “theatre of the mind”. A good radio drama is not a stage play with the lights turned off. In the new millennium, radio drama continues to evolve as a distinctive dramatic form in its own right. - This story of yours
The journey of the play. How does story differ from plot? The use of sub-plots. What comes first - story or character? - Dialogue
Making plays ‘come off the page’. Speaking through he character, juggling multiple points of view. - The business end of the business
Research and marketing the play. Dealing with agents and theatre companies. What can play development organizations offer? The business of funding. - Obeying your impulses
Dealing with ‘writers’ block’. Using your impulses to find the play you didn’t know you had within you. - Finishing up
Working towards making a ‘promising’ script great.