CMU School of Drama


Tuesday, April 09, 2019

She's the Secret Ingredient in Three Hit Plays

Theatre Development Fund – TDF: One of the most vital roles in new play development is also the most inscrutable: the oft-misunderstood dramaturg. But Sarah Lunnie is happy to demystify what she does. "I think about my role as that of a collaborative editor," she explains.

1 comment:

Sidney R. said...

I like how this article clearly explains how the role of a dramaturg shifts among various productions. The most significant difference I noted was how essential one is on a new works still in the development phase. I see this as an excellent opportunity for thorough dramaturgy because it can ensure historical and factual truths. The collaboration with a playwright a unique experience because there is still the possibility of change in the script if a fallacy is discovered. One line I found to be very effective is “What dramaturgy consists of in practice depends on the project, where we are in the process and how my collaborators like to work.” This line is applicable to most roles in the theatre which differ depending on the production, but it’s important to remember. Each setting brings its own expectations, and one must be willing to adapt to create a positive, respectful workplace.