Dramaturge

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A dramaturge or dramaturg is a position within a theatre that deals mainly with research and development. It has gained its modern-day function through the innovations of Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, a playwright and theatre practitioner who worked in Germany in the 18th century.

The dramaturg's contribution was to categorize and discuss the various types and kinds of plays, their interconnectedness and their styles.

The responsibilities of dramaturg vary from one theatre company to the next, but they might include the hiring of actors, the development of a season of plays with a sense of coherence among them, the assistance with and editing of new plays by resident or guest playwrights, the creation of programs or accompanying educational services, and even helping the director with rehearsals, and serving as elucidator of history or spokesperson for deceased or otherwise absent playwrights. At larger theatres, a casting director hires the actors, a literary manager helps with play selection and editing/workshopping and the dramaturg works on the historical and cultural research into the play and its setting. A dramaturg will create a packet or workbook for the director and actors (usually these are different) and work extensively with the director prior to the first rehearsal.

In the United Kingdom, dramaturgs function similarly although they are more often, themselves, also playwrights. In the USA, where this position was until recently relatively uncommon, it has enjoyed a recent growth, particularly in theater companies that focus on developing new plays and those that produce plays where the socio-historical background is important to the understanding of the production.

The dramaturg will often conduct research into the historical and social conditions, specific locations, time periods, and/or theatrical styles of plays chosen by the company, to assist the playwright, director and/or design team in their production. The dramaturg locates and translates worthy scripts from other languages, writes articles and makes media appearances promoting shows and community programs, and helps develop original scripts.

Despite occasional intimate connection with all aspects of play selection, production, and performance, the dramaturg remains independent, keeping a critical eye on the company's creative activities, working to improve and maintain high quality.

Many dramaturgs are hired by a director long after play selection has occurred to assist with the background research.

Recently there has been a backlash against excessive dramaturgy.^{[citation needed]} Arguments against hiring a separate dramaturg often focus on the perception that if the playwright and director have done their jobs well, a dramaturg is unnecessary as the play (and the director's interpretation thereof) should stand on its own without further explanation. Furthermore, it is argued that if the director lets someone else do the research, he or she will be inadequately prepared for the rehearsal process.

See also

• dramaturgy
• dubbing dramaturge

External links

• An article by Dramaturg and Theatre Critic Mark S.P. Turvin offering an overview with a brief history of dramaturgy and a description of a potential Dramaturg's role in modern American theatre
• Literary Managers & Dramaturgs of the Americas, the primary professional organization for dramaturgs in North America.

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