This course is for 2nd Year MFA Drama students who wish to gain a deeper understanding of the processes and practices associated with the development, rehearsals, and production of original text-based plays. In working through the stages of new one-act plays, we will examine the roles and responsibilities of actors, directors, and writers and refine techniques to enhance participants' successful creative contribution to the process. Through analysis, group discussion, and facilitated rehearsal, students will develop a deeper experiential understanding of the challenges involved, and advance their skills in discipline-based collaboration. Fundamental to our work together is the belief that successful collaborations are defined not only by the quality of the result, but the health of the process, which requires nurtured and sustained respect for the contributions of each other as artists and humans. In that sense, an underlying goal of any artistic collaboration is to maximize the project’s potential by inspiring and supporting the creativity of all participants involved. The course will be divided into modules, allowing us to focus on and explore key opportunities, challenges, and pressures of the process as they emerge and evolve. Our work will begin with sharpening analytical and dramaturgical skills and proceed to the building techniques for effective preparation across all disciplines from rehearsal through production. Engagement in class and rehearsal attendance is essential to the successful completion of this course.