The degree is awarded for a body of work that is ready for production and for significant progress in the development of dramatic writing. Script Developement Scripts are developed at several levels. Assignments and early drafts are developed in the seminar in dramatic writing, in which students examine and employ the principles and advanced theories of dramatic writing. Later drafts are presented in the playwrights workshop, where guest audiences are invited when appropriate. Script development and presentation are components of a second section of the playwrights workshop that focuses on playwright and director collaboration.
New work is presented in workshop readings.
Production-ready plays are produced in the school's lab series. For the Seabury Quinn, Jr., Playwrights Festival, theater professionals are invited to the university to respond to the work of the student playwrights. Playwrights experience public readings, audience response, professional response, and individual mentoring. Plays begun before enrollment in the school will not be developed in the playwriting program. This work is rewritten based on festival response.