Dramaturgs

DRAMATURGY NEWS

There are certainly some exciting, new happenings for our area at the festival this year. First, we are working closely with both the directing area and design area to create an onsite creative-collaboration event in which the dramaturgs at the festival will have the option of participating. This most likely will take shape as a “design storm” project that can be completed over the course of a few days. Much more detail on the role of the dramaturg in this creative-collaboration will be forthcoming as we finalize the “ins-andouts” of this new endeavor. Please stay tuned. Second, review the submission requirements for dramaturgical material because there are some minor adjustments to what is wanted and needed for assessment. Also, take a look at the description of the assessment criterion used by the evaluators. Importantly, look at the stipulations about the letter of nomination and a new requirement for a “learning plan” in the Role of the Dramaturg section of the award application. Lastly, note that the deadline is 3 December 2007 and that all submissions are to be made via CD ROM for ease in assessment and evaluation. Consult the PDF files on the website for further clarification.

LMDA / KCACTF Student Dramaturgy Award Information and Guidelines

The LMDA / KCACTF Student Dramaturgy Award is designed to recognize contributions by student dramaturgs to the conception, development, and production of theater within their colleges and universities, or to educational projects in dramaturgy. The philosophical foundation of this award – like that of dramaturgy itself – rests in the belief that art benefits from examination on the parts of both artist and audience, and that creative inspiration accompanied by analysis and reflection is most likely to lead to productions and projects that fulfill the spiritual, social and personal potential of the theatrical event.

Also inherent in the guidelines is the belief that the dramaturg should participate fully and uniquely in the collaborative act of making theater and in promoting social discourse around the theatrical event. To validate the significance of the dramaturg’s contributions – and to raise awareness of dramaturgy in the academic field – a letter of nomination from a faculty member is required.

This award is the result of a unique collaboration between Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas (LMDA), the professional association of dramaturgs and literary managers working in North America, and the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF), a national program dedicated to improving the quality of college and university theater in the United States. Three professional dramaturgs, members of LMDA who live in each region, will select the winner of that region’s LMDA / KCACTF Student Award in Dramaturgy.

What does the award entail?

The winner of the LMDA / KCACTF Student Dramaturgy Award will receive a $100 cash prize, and one year’s membership in LMDA paid for by KCACTF.

Who is eligible?

Undergraduate and graduate students who work specifically as the dramaturg on a production or workshop, or who submit work created for a dramaturgy class. If the project is a workshop or production, the student must be credited as the dramaturg. A student who also writes, directs, designs, performs in, or otherwise collaborates on a project will be responsible for articulating the boundaries of the dramaturgical work and speaking on its behalf. The student need not be enrolled full-time to submit work for this award. Projects must be completed (plays closed, workshops completed, projects turned in) by December 5, 2005 to be eligible. Projects completed after December 5, 2005 may be submitted for this award the following year.

How to apply:

Fill out the application form, identifying the dramaturg and the project and including two statements written by the dramaturg. Enclose a letter of nomination from a faculty member. If you wish, you may include more letters of support from persons directly related to the project – collaborating artists or audience members for a workshop or production, or fellow students / teachers in a classroom project. Submit three copies of the entire application packet to:

Kevin Trudeau
Dramaturgy Coordinator
Lewis University
Department of Theatre
One University Parkway
Romeoville IL  60446
815-836-5695 (office)
815-836-5375 (fax)
trudeake@lewisu.edu



Explanation of Evaluative Measures

1. Distinctiveness: What is creative about the dramaturg’s approach and/or analysis?

This is where you should highlight how many intersections of your research were made manifest in the live production event. This could include directorial or design choices, actor preparation and execution, lobby materials, pre-show/postshow discussions and the like.


2. Contextualization: How is the production or project enhanced by dramaturgical analysis or research; alternatively, how is the academic project in dramaturgy
imaginatively projected into a larger social, political, academic or artistic setting?

Expanding on elements of distinctiveness, reflect upon how your work was interdisciplinary; how your ideas perhaps changed the course of the visual design of the show; how your outreach aided spectator engagement with the production, and the like.


3. Impact: In what way are the audience members, artists or institution enriched by dramaturgical ideas and execution?

Suggest ways in which your work on the production connected the live performance event to a larger, immediate community.


4. Ethics: How are issues that might be raised by the terms of the collaboration or changing responsibilities dealt with and/or resolved?
Recount moments of tension within the creative-collaborative process and trace out how they were or were not resolved. Perhaps the director is your chair and you felt uncomfortable disagreeing. Maybe you worked with a close friend and issues of artistic interpretation complicated that relationship.



5. Significance: How does this project inform, challenge or advance the field of dramaturgy, in general and/or within the student’s school?

Thinking over your work, are other students going to engage in acts of dramaturgy?
Consider your department, have they advanced or rescinded the use of dramaturgy within the production season?
What are some steps that can be taken to improve upon work already being done?
You need to attend and exhibit project materials at the regional festival in order to be considered for high honors.
Final evaluations are based on the material sent in for review and NOT the display at the festival.

Award presentation:

The LMDA / KCACTF Student Award in Dramaturgy will be presented annually on the closing night of each Regional Conference.