Scenes that change the course of your plot
A six-week course looking at the place of story in contemporary theatre. Does story have a place? If so, what is it? Is ‘what happens’ more or less important than ‘what does it mean’ – and how do you control the relationship between the two? The course will do an in-depth analysis of scenes and story structures from across the length and breadth of the theatrical canon, to give you more confidence in knowing a truly dramatic scene when you see one.
With this under your belt, we will then work together on how to create scenes that change everyone in the room. What are the key features of a truly dramatic scene? How do scene structure and story arc relate to one another? How can you make sure that your plays aren’t treading water and, instead, that every line is earning its place in your script?
Ella Hickson is an award-winning writer whose work has been performed throughout the UK and abroad. SWIVE, which she codirected, played at Shakespeare’s Globe in December 2019. Anna, which she co-created with Natalie Abrahami and Ben and Max Ringham, opened at The National Theatre in Spring 2019. The Writer played at The Almeida in 2019 and Oil played at The Almeida in 2017. Productions of The Writer are planned for New York’s Public Theatre, Sydney Theatre Company and it is currently playing at The Staatstheatre, Hannover. Wendy and Peter Pan, her 2015 hit for The Royal Shakespeare Company, will open in Norway, Canada and Japan in 2020. Ella is a fellow of The Royal Society of Literature and three-time MacDowell Fellow. She teaches on The University of Oxford Creative Writing Mst. She is director of Tantrums Productions, which has produced work at Trafalgar Studios, PS122 – New York, and The Ringling International Arts Festival. She is developing new work for The National Theatre, The Old Vic and Manhattan Theatre Club. She is also developing new work for TV and Film.
Admission to the course will be based on order of arrival and CV assessment, which should be sent (with photograph included), filling in the form on the right.
Places on courses are limited. Places will be reserved once the course amount has been paid. Payment must be made within one week of receiving the corresponding acceptance email.
The dates indicated for each course or seminar may be subject to variations in exceptional circumstances. These will be notified when applicable.
For the course to take place, a minimum number of students must be registered. If this number is not reached, the course will be cancelled and the student will have the option of registering for a different course (providing that there are places available) or alternatively will receive a refund of the amount paid (100%). If a student withdraws, a refund of 75% of the registration fee will be applicable, providing that written notice is given at least 10 days before the start of the course.