Below is an (ever-developing) list of 'dramaturgical tasks', loosely grouped by 'type' of dramaturg (as defined by me. The names are fairly arbitrary, just descriptive). It's totally mix-and-match. Take what tasks you like (from whichever list you want), put them in whatever order makes the most sense to you, and try them out. (And let me know which ones I've forgotten!)
TRADITIONAL Dramaturg - script/play-based
- meet w/director; negotiate role. Make offer. Adjust offer.
- read script
- read script again, make notes
- meet w/director; discuss focus, most important themes, message (audience response), directorial vision
- read script aloud; refine list of themes and details to research
- compile research
- organize research into company book
- extrapolate bite-sized bits from research collection, create Actors' Packet
- Present self, role, packet to cast. Discuss context of production.
- attend production meetings (beginning as early in the process as possible)
- compile research for designers
- offer questions, connections, challenges
- prepare program notes (based on personal insight into theme or particular message of show?)
- assist Marketing; write show 'blurb', press releases; help find/choose/create most effective production image
- create research blog
- keep Production Diaries; specifically regarding pre-production development process
- create Study Guide; post online (company website?), mail/email to local schools and other interested groups
- attend occasional (2 or 3? negotiate w/director) rehearsals to answer questions, pose questions for cast
- facilitate audience Q&A (or 'talk back session') with cast, production team, after performances
- follow up on performance experience with interviews, questionnaires (audience, schools, cast, etc...)
PRODUCTION Dramaturg - devised theatre, physical theatre, dance?
- meet w/director; negotiate
- attend production meetings; get a feel for personality types and working methods
- assemble 'inspirational' items; images, poems, other text, clothing, music, creative supplies, etc...
- encourage director to describe, vocalize vision or potential outcome for performance
- observe rehearsals; document process - notes, video, pictures, drawings, representative imagery and sounds, etc...
- discuss work w/director; determine what is interesting and useful (be subjective - what do YOU like? What do you feel is working?)
- Create a visual representation of the structure of the piece being created (line drawing, string, building blocks, etc...); begin to place rehearsal discoveries within that structure
- research rehearsal discoveries
- create research blog
- suggest options for play and further discovery: Questions, challenges; turn something over (sometimes literally) and look at it in a new way; speed up, slow down, reverse, change shape, switch roles, change genres (i.e., Shakespearean to musical theatre to mime to... whatever), play with masks, suggest a material (paper, sticks, fabric, string, sand, other items), add text, remove text, games, exercises, etc...
- detach; remove self from process and function objectively ('outside eye'); Is the piece working? Why or why not?
- prepare program notes
- create rehearsal blog; discuss themes, discoveries; maintain notes and diaries; encourage actor contributions
- create marketing options
- review documentation; make suggestions based on earlier discoveries
- learn to be objectively critical AND movtivated by subjective response
- serve as the audience (bring in rehearsal audience?); consider effect, coherence, impact of production; determine relation to original goals, vision
- meet w/director, revise vision of piece
- re-structure the piece
EDUCATIONAL Dramaturg - research, school and community liaison, patron development
- meet w/director; themes, message, focus
- read play or observe developmental rehearsals
- find current/recent thematic equivalents/comparisons/contrasts
- research; production book, packets, study guides
- research local schools, patron base, community; consider backgrounds, concerns, larger issues
- send Education Pack to schools: study guides, teacher curriculum, topics for discussion, relevance of themes and theater as and experiential learning arena; include outline of expected student behavior
COMPANY Dramaturg
(coming soon)
NEW PLAY DEVELOPMENT Dramaturg
(coming soon)
LITERARY MANAGER
(coming soon)
- Other specific job titles?
