Samantha Baird

by Samantha Baird, Dramaturg Fairy tales, as we know them today, are much like the children’s game of “telephone.” Over the years of being told orally, stories naturally will change and adapt to match the environment in which they are being told. However, something that is even more intriguing is when stories are intentionally changed to emphasize different elements. Below is a comparison of three retellings/adaptations of the classic tale Rumpelstiltskin.

by Samantha Baird, Dramaturg

by Samantha Baird, Dramaturg

by Samantha Baird, Dramaturg For centuries before the written record, people told stories, and retold them, and retold them again. While the moral of the story or general themes often stayed the same, there were bits and pieces lost or changed through history to fit the time period or the culture in which the story was being told. However, after the invention of the printing press, it became easier to write these stories down and publish them for a wider audience to enjoy and experience the same version of the story. But even with publication, there were different translations. Since that time, storytelling has neither ceased nor slowed down.

The funny thing about adaptations is that the author, playwright, screenwriter, poet, etc has a lot of freedom with how they choose to change the story for their adaptation. While it can also act as a retelling, an adaptation is a little different. Retellings are done in the same format with changes to the story, for example, Rumpelstiltskin by The Brothers Grimm and Rump by Liesl Shurtliff. Adaptations are created through a different medium and can be the same story or can also be a retelling at the same time, for example, Rump by Liesl Shurtliff and Rump: The Musical by Timothy Threlfall. Here are a few retellings, adaptations, and appearances of Rumpelstiltskin over the years:

by Samantha Baird, dramaturg, Every so often, members of the production team on BYU main stage shows have the opportunity to work closely with personnel who were involved in either the creation of the story or part of a previous production. This year’s MDT workshop production of Rump: The Musical is no different. As dramaturg and associate director on the project I had the opportunity to sit down with Liesl Shurtliff, the author of the young adult novel, Rump and ask her a few questions. The interview transcript below has been edited for clarity and length.