Document Type

Thesis

Date of Degree Completion

Fall 2014

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Theatre Studies

Committee Chair

Brenda Hubbard

Second Committee Member

Michael Smith

Third Committee Member

Paul Walsh

Abstract

A review of the literature on dramaturgical practices in the American theater from the past thirty years revealed a significant paucity of first-hand accounts by dramaturgs about their work and especially about the contributions dramaturgs make to the production process. In general, the literature addresses dramaturgical practices in abstract or theoretical terms, without documenting the specific contributions that dramaturgs make to the creation of productions and events as performances. This thesis documents and defines the dramaturgical process through interviews with a select sample of early career and established dramaturgs. The interviews conducted follow the narrative method of open-ended questions and responses. This thesis also provides a case-study analysis of dramaturgy-in-process, documenting the author's observations of dramaturgical decision ­making during rehearsals in Austin, Texas of The Rude Mechanicals' Now, Now Oh Now. Details of play-text based analysis, structural analysis of scripts, and moment work within rehearsals are discussed. This study concludes that continuing to document the work of dramaturgs will help to delineate and define the vocation of dramaturgy within theater.

Comments

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