What is Dramaturgy?
While the role of a dramaturg, as well as the dramaturgical process itself, has been traditionally resistant to definition and can be quite flexible and varied based on personnel and location, we have found the following definition helpful for BYU dramaturgs, in describing what we do and how we do it.
Dramaturgy is an exploration into the world of a play—its text and contexts—with an effort to share discoveries and invite discussions that enrich the theatrical experience for everyone involved at any step of the production, including the creative team, the cast, and the audience.
LMDA Definition
Adapted from the Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas
“Over the past three decades, the role of the dramaturg has expanded alongside the increasing importance of contemporary playwriting. Working in theatres and playwrights’ organizations, in colleges and universities, and on a project-by-project basis, dramaturgs contextualize the world of a play; establish connections among the text, actors, and audience; offer opportunities for playwrights; generate projects and programs; and create conversations about plays in their communities.
In the ecology of theatre-making, dramaturgs forge a critical link between artists and institutions, and institutions and their communities. They work with their other artistic collaborators to hone their vision, focus their goals and find outlets for their creative work on new and classical plays and dance pieces.
Dramaturgs serve the field as experts on our dramatic past and as advocates for writers of today and the important work of the future.”