Abstract
In my fifteen years of teaching dramatic writing at the college level, I have found students often succumb to writer’s block or “blank page syndrome,” the paralysis mixed with anxiety when confronted with the empty page and a deadline. Rooted in self-judgement and fear of failure, this reaction shuts down their creative energies and makes them doubt their overall abilities. During these times, students often revert to the tired adage of “writing of what they know” which leads to tepid scenes about students in dormitory rooms complaining about domestic life. In this paper, I outline approaches that not only successfully prompt creative and more complex scenework but also teach critical thinking concepts that will serve them beyond the classroom.
Presenters
Charlie MitchellProfessor, School of Theatre and Dance, University of Florida, Florida, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Theatre, Playwriting, Creative Writing, Critical Thinking
