Dramatic Writing at NYU Tisch: Adventures on the 7th Floor

What makes NYU’s dramatic writing program distinct from other universities’ is its curriculum. We are “cross-trained” in screenwriting, playwriting, and writing for episodic television. This not only sharpens our skills but prepares us to alternate between writing different media in our careers. Our primary classes are writing workshops, where we revise our original material in a writers’ room environment. Additional courses include text-analysis classes, where we discuss plays, screenplays, and TV pilots. Another common question I receive is how dramatic writing is different from studying Film & Television. Ultimately, UGFTV is more suited for students whose interest in screenwriting is part of a larger passion for all aspects of filmmaking. Conversely, dramatic writing is beneficial for students whose primary goal is to write. It also makes more sense for those interested in playwriting as well as writing for film and television.

If you’ve ever been on any of my campus tours, you know how much I love to gush about the dramatic writing faculty. Our intrepid professors are tenured veterans of Broadway and Hollywood, with experience writing for theater, film, and episodic television. But this goes beyond bragging rights. Any note you receive from a professor is contextualized within their vast experience working in the entertainment industry. In other words, lessons from Tisch professors come wrapped in anecdotes. Whether they’re tales of addressing notes from Netflix executives or rewriting the second act of an Off-Broadway play the week before opening night, our professors have seen it all. Additionally, as successful as our professors are, they still make time for us during office hours. In between meetings, rehearsals, and writers’ rooms, our talented teachers will sit with us for hours to discuss our scripts.  

Outside the classroom, the learning continues. Student theater groups, such as the Broke People Play Festival, allow students to write and stage fully-produced original plays. Additionally, Spring 2025 saw the premiere of the 7th Floor Film Festival. This is an initiative to highlight the creativity of dramatic writing students who direct films as well as write them. Finally, you can’t write without being inspired by new work. As a dramatic writing major, I’ve had the opportunity to see numerous Broadway productions, completely for free. New York City is an infinite hub of arts and culture. Because of this, we receive tremendous support from our department to utilize our urban campus as a classroom.