"August: Osage County" dramaturgy.

[walkedthroughmany]

Posted: 3/26/08 at 5:37pm

I noticed that "August: Osage County" is one of the few commercial productions on Broadway that actually has a dramaturg.
What does everyone think about dramaturgy in general, or on Broadway? It seems like it's still a very new concept in America.
Thoughts?

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 3/26/08 at 6:01pm

Unfortunately, most commercial productions don't use the help of a dramaturg, but all of the non-profits have one, who generally doubles as the literary manager. Among the prominant ones in NY are Anne Cataneo of Lincoln Center Theater and Stephen Willems at MCC.

Dramaturgy is a practice that's not really known in America, but they (the dramaturgs) help a great deal in the development of new works.

[beyondthebreakofday]

Posted: 3/26/08 at 6:05pm

I think the role of the dramaturg is severely underlooked in the Broadway Theatre. Why are dramaturgs only used for new works?

What difference do you think dramaturgy makes for productions? A Dramaturg was used for August and it has been greatly successful. Do you think the show would be as successful without one? Do you think other shows would benefit from dramaturgy?

[Not Barker, Todd.]

Posted: 3/26/08 at 6:12pm

So, afford me a moment of clarity. From reading the Wikipedia article, a dramaturg is basically like a jack of all trades assistant to the creative team, specifically the playwright? Or, in the case of a playhouse, some sort of director of the season as well?

[beyondthebreakofday]

Posted: 3/26/08 at 6:18pm

The term dramaturg is a hard one to define, especially in America where the profession is very new. A production dramaturg is one who works on a specific show and is there to research information for the cast and crew, answer questions (historical and textual) for the director, create lobby displays, write program notes, assist in educational outreach, etc. A resident dramaturg might serve as a literary manager by reading new scripts sent to the theatre, choosing the season, reading many adaptations of different texts to choose which one to read, etc.

In the case of August, the Dramaturg probably spent a lot of time researching drug use/addiction as well as working with the playwright on re-writes, etc. and dealing with other historical aspects of the play. The cast would also be provided with this information.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 3/26/08 at 6:20pm

A dramaturg was used for AUGUST because it started at the Steppenwolf.

Barker - the dramaturg of a non-profit group is usually the literary manager. He/she's the one who suggests to the Artistic Directors what plays to produce, and then works with the playwright to develop the material. The dramaturg also prepares info about the historical background of the play (when it's set, what kind of clothing was worn, how people spoke, etc.) for the cast and designers.

[scaryclowns223]

Posted: 3/26/08 at 6:20pm

From what I've heard, Dramaturgs deal with the subject matter at hand, especially when considering history or science involved.

For example, for Copenhagen, a dramaturg helped the actors understand just exactly what they were talking about with respect to fission, etc.
Jimmi Simpson worked with a dramaturg on THE FARNSWORTH INVENTION to help him understand all the scientific concepts that his character mastered.

It works the same way with history.
A dramaturg might familiarize actors with the typical way of life of an Oklahoma family and might help with mannerisms, accents, etc.
They're used for Shakespeare plays to help understand meaning and motivation, because most of the language is dated.
They're also used in period pieces to give actors and directors a sense of what would be appropriate to that time period as far as blocking or inflection goes. (For example, someone living at the time of the Scopes Monkey Trial in INHERIT THE WIND would not articulate rage the same way that someone does now.)

I mean, at least that's my own interpretation.

[walkedthroughmany]

Posted: 3/26/08 at 9:28pm

beyondthebreakofday:
I like your question about "August" -- would the show be as good as it is without the dramaturg? Couldn't the cast learn movement and dialect from a movement or dialect coach? And shouldn't the playwright be researching culture as they write the play? And shouldn't the director have studied up as well?

[jbdc]

Posted: 3/26/08 at 9:40pm

Dramaturgy relates a lot to the literary/dramatic structure of a play.

A dramaturg can assist the playwright in structuring things to make the story clear.

They are very important in regional theatres, where they answer questions that about the history of the texts. You can't call up Euripides and ask what he meant by a certain line. A dramaturg becomes an invaluable resource to a director.

They also can be very helpful in terms of style. They will learn everything about similar shows, to know what worked and what didn't in past productions with a similar aesthetic.

The best directors and playwrights are usually trained in dramturgy and dramatic criticism, and they do it for themselves when they need to.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/26/08 at 9:46pm

I think it's really important, and a practice that should be brought to use in more productions. I've done some, and I love it.

However, it's important to note that if a dramaturg isn't listed, that doesn't mean no research has gone into the production; directors and choreographers, if they're responsible, will do a lot of research on their own, and many of the top-notch people do.

Aside from the work a dramaturg does on a show, though, dramaturgy can sometimes be applied to the academic study of the theater, as well.

Updated On: 3/26/08 at 09:46 PM

[Katurian2]

Posted: 3/26/08 at 9:51pm

I work as a dramaturg with several professional theatres in my city, and you guys have done a great job defining it. A dramaturg must know everything about everything- they are a show's own personal historian, fact-checker, and consultant.

I've been asked to do duties ranging from giving the directors notes on how a scene or production is working so far in rehearsals, research specific genres or styles (most recently Brecht and epic theatre), and give actors brief workshops on acting techniques. It's not an easy job, but very rewarding! :) A dramaturg must be VERY good at research and finding sources. I would almost classify a dramaturg as a director to the director- which- as I'm sure you all can guess is a lot of fun.

Updated On: 3/26/08 at 09:51 PM

[A Director]

Posted: 3/26/08 at 11:32pm

When working on a new show, a good dramaturg knows when to ask questions and the kind to ask. All things considered, the success or failure of a production does not depend on the dramaturg.

Another thing a dramaturg might be asked to do is to help prepare the script to be used in a production. If the is by Shakespeare, the dramaturg might be asked to track down copies of the different Folio editions and perhaps the Quarto editions. Then the director and the dramaturg would do a line by line comparison. If the play is by Ibsen, the dramaturg might read and compare different translations. Some dramaturgs might do their own translation of a play.

Depending on the theatre, the dramaturg might give a lecture on the play.

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 3/26/08 at 11:36pm

Whatever people helped to get that script to where it is--Broadway needs more of them.

[Katurian2]

Posted: 3/27/08 at 10:41am

True 'Dat!

[WOSQ]

Posted: 3/27/08 at 10:47am

Back in the days, producers sometimes acted as dramaturgs. Saint Subber comes to mind. The playwright had to be cajoled, convinced, or bribed into seeing where the script might need revisions and focus. All of this would happen before rehearsals started.

Somebody acted in this capacity on virtually every play even if it was a spouse. They would have to gain the playwright's trust which is something Subber was good at. He is mentioned in several bios (McCullers, Capote) as being the 'dramaturg' although the term wasn't used.

In the best of all possible worlds, directors would do this, however in the commercial environment nowadays, directors are so overbooked that they might open one show on Thursday and start rehearsals on another Monday.

Our A list directors may do 6 shows a season: Doug Hughes, Dan Sullivan, Mark Lamos, Mark Brokaw come to mind although there are plenty of others. There is little hands-on, minds-on prep time.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 3/27/08 at 11:05am

Dramaturg, schramturg. Xanadu didn't need a stinking Dramaturg and that is the most perfect, flawless product of American theater ever created.

[Act4ever]

Posted: 3/27/08 at 11:25am

In the case of AUGUST and people saying "shouldn't the playwright be doing thier own research..." Tracy Letts is from Oklahoma... very close to if not in Osage County. I think he knows what he's talking about. The dramaturg is there to assist, be another set of eyes that are not looking at the piece in an artistic way like an assistant director...

Also, at Steppenwolf in particular, the dramaturg conducts post show discussions

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 3/27/08 at 11:30am

So would they use a dramaturg for a show like Parade?

[Act4ever]

Posted: 3/27/08 at 12:30pm

Any show could use a dramaturg...

[Katurian2]

Posted: 3/27/08 at 12:34pm

Historical shows and shows that demand a specific acting style are where they are most utilized though. Recent productions I remember seeing fellow dramaturgs include "The Diary of Anne Frank" and "The Coast of Utopia". I've worked on a lot of news shows, but also things like Pierre Cornielle's "The Illusion", "Brighton Beach Memoirs", and "The Caucasian Chalk Circle".

Edit: And yes, a recent production of "Parade" I saw actually used 2 dramaturgs!

Updated On: 3/27/08 at 12:34 PM

[varymydays]

Posted: 3/27/08 at 3:05pm

I think it's interesting that some people seem to question the usage/ importance of a dramaturg. I think the presence of a dramaturg is clearly evident in the quality of production that is produced. August is performing wonderfully and enjoyed by many, which is due in part I think to a dramaturg who helped shape that production. When shows are not living up to their potential or appear to be misguided, I think this is when a the importance of having a dramaturg can be clearly understood. In terms of August dramaturgy specifically I am interested to see what people think. In regards to there website, you can witness firsthand some dramaturgy work including the pill raid and interactive features avaliable to visitors of the site.

[TomMonster]

Posted: 3/27/08 at 5:04pm

This thread is why I love BWW!

*sigh*

I've worked with great dramaturgs on various productions. Invaluable contributions to the entire focus of the productions, and so often overlooked.

Hehe. Maybe, if the trend continues on Broadway, there will be a Tony category!

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 3/27/08 at 5:10pm

But it would be the same people every year. Cataneo, Roundabout and MTC's people...

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/27/08 at 5:16pm

Well, not if, as Tom is suggesting, the use becomes more widespread (and noted) in the commercial productions. If the consistent use of dramaturgs remains more or less limited to the nonprofits, then yeah, it would be the same people ever year.

[Katurian2]

Posted: 3/27/08 at 5:18pm

This is true, but it really is up to the dramaturg to assert themselves as necessary to a theatre company. My frist jobs I did were for nonprofit theatres, and I got paid very little, if nothing at all. However, gradually as the word spreads, directors begin to see that a dramaturg is a very integral part of a modern production. The occupation has grown exponentially in recent years, and as the demands upon the director continue to grow, I believe will become even more necessary.