The distinctive philosophies of Bertolt Brecht and Jean-Paul Sartre concerning man's existence directly influence their attitudes toward character, action, and the total drama. Both playwrights reveal that drama is an inseparable and reciprocal molding of content and form. The relationship between their ideas and their expressions of them is so…

Discusses the depiction of women characters in the plays of Alice Childress. Analyzes "Wine in the Wilderness" to demonstrate Childress' skill at characterization and calls for further scholarship on this neglected playwright. (KH)

Surveyed screenwriters about preparation, entry, present survival, future prospects, and "words of advice to graduating students about how to assault the gates of Hollywood." (PD)

Instructs writing students on how to verbally present their ideas. Points out that success in screenwriting depends not only on how well scripts are written but also how well screenwriters sell themselves and their scripts. Adds comments for instructors who want to teach pitching as part of a scriptwriting course. (PD)

A discussion of the dramas of the Norwegian novelist-playwright Knut Hamsun YKnutPedersenI (1859-1952). (RD)

In this chronology of the work of Owen Dodson, former chairman of the Department of Drama at Howard University, a biographical portrait and a listing of his many literary works is provided. (RLV)

Discusses the author's experience as a playwright and teacher of public readings of early drafts of new plays. Explains the Five Step Model for these readings as follows: prepare the playwright before the reading; prepare the audience with a precurtain speech; after the reading, establish discussion ground rules; remember these guidelines during…

Explains that five members of the Cornish faculty from various departments and a student came together across lines of discipline and departments to form a dramaturgy team. Notes that this experience created a new presence for the scholar/artist in the productive process. Suggests that the team's commitment to the students as educators contributed…

Provides the history of the Sundance Institute, which has grown to help many artists in hopes of contributing unique and original voices to the culture of the country. Describes the present structure of the institute and details the work of the 2002 lab. Notes that as the Sundance Theatre Lab continues to bring theatre artists of all disciplines…

Describes how the Honolulu Theatre for Youth and Very Special Arts Hawaii developed the annual THEATREFEST, a successful program celebrating the work of young playwrights and performers. Discusses how the project came about and how it is yearly put together. (SR)

Discusses ethnographic performance texts (sometimes called ethnotheatre or ethnodrama), which employ traditional techniques to mount a performance event as an alternative mode of research representation, with actors portraying actual research participants. Discusses ethnodrama's rationale, content and structure, participants and characters,…

Ponders what students might learn from a course in playwriting: the ability to think in vivid instances and moments; the habit of close observation of the details of human behavior; the ability to think through and see through cliches; making hard choices; sympathy; dreaming within limits; and concision. (SR)

Reproduces a conversation among playwrights, directors, and dramaturges participating in the Bonderman/IUPUI (Indiana University Purdue University at Indianapolis) experience. Features their answers to six questions regarding new play development, its focus, and influence on the world of theater for young audiences. (PA)