WHAT IS DRAMATURGY?
„One could scarcely imagine a figure less reminiscent of G.E.Lessing.“ (Behrndt/Turner: Dramaturgy and Performance, 2008)
In the traditional way a dramaturg does the programming for a theatre, he or she chooses plays and performances, directors and actors and keeps track of the overall artistic concept of a theatre/venue. At a later stage, called production dramaturgy, the dramaturg does the research (e.g. of background information, current political connections to a play etc.) for a production, edits, translates or adapts texts and advises the director and the rest of the ensemble on the process of making and rehearsing. He/she acts as an outside eye to provide thorough feedback from an audience point of view.
In a contemporary context of fringe theatre (freies Theater), live art, interdisciplinary artistic projects and devised performance, being a dramaturg becomes a multi-faceted and multi-disciplinary role that is constantly changing and adapts to every production anew.
Here is a list of what a dramaturg can do for you and your project:
Being an outside eye
Programming and Curating, making a season`s schedule
Researching background information
Structuring thoughts and images, finding and showing interesting connections within your work
Bouncing ideas around with/Brainstorming
Asking the right questions to help your art making
Editing, adapting, translating and writing text
Giving critical and detailed feedback throughout the rehearsal and making process and about the performance or art work itself
Playing devil`s advocate in discussions
Casting and Networking
Advising the director/the ensemble/the scenographer/the devising process
Teambuilding
Producing
Organisation and Administration of your production
Finding creative solutions for presenting yourself/your art work and Marketing
Creating Applied theatre (Theaterpädagogik) and workshops in tune with your production
Formulating and keeping track of an over all artistic concept
If you think you need a dramaturg or have any questions about the above, do get in touch with me. I will be very happy to hear from you.
PREVIOUS PROJECTS
Dance Performance, Graz/A, 2021
Signhild Wærsted/Annika Vestel: Til Overs
Interactive promenade performance for children, Amot/NO, 2014
Peer Gynt . Spielen! (Director: Elina Finkel)
Theatre performance, Graz/A, 2013
Wie es euch gefällt (Director: Axel Richter)
Outdoor theatre performance, Graz/A, 2012
Alice Schalek: Die letzten Tage der Menschheit (Director: Hans Peter Horner)
Theatre performance, Graz/A, 2011
© Hanna Rohn, 2022