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Teaching Dramaturgy as a Creative Practice 
Essay
Teaching Dramaturgy as a Creative Practice 
by Jessica Elaine Ellison
13 March 2024
Curating Openings in the Theatre of María Irene Fornés
Essay
Curating Openings in the Theatre of María Irene Fornés
by Juliana Frey-Méndez, Anna D. Novak
26 February 2024
Shakespeare Against the Canon in Our Verse in Time to Come
Essay
Shakespeare Against the Canon in Our Verse in Time to Come
by Melissa Lin Sturges, Karen Ann Daniels, Malik Work, John Ray Proctor III
22 August 2023
Two people pose in graduation attire.
Teaching Dramaturgy as a Creative Practice 
Essay

Teaching Dramaturgy as a Creative Practice 

13 March 2024

Jessica Elaine Ellison challenges training programs to position dramaturgs as creatives. Through this framing, these programs have the opportunity to expand and innovate in the way that embraces the expansiveness of dramaturgs working in the field. 

A group of performers sing around a piano onstage.
Curating Openings in the Theatre of María Irene Fornés
Essay

Curating Openings in the Theatre of María Irene Fornés

26 February 2024

Dramaturg Anna D. Novak and director Juliana Frey-Méndez discuss their collaborative dramaturgical process for Fefu and Her Friends, written by María Irene Fornés. Together they crafted a process that embraced the play’s mysteries and made space for everyone’s analysis.

A tall Black man performs passionately while surrounded by audience members.
Shakespeare Against the Canon in Our Verse in Time to Come
Essay

Shakespeare Against the Canon in Our Verse in Time to Come

22 August 2023

Karen Ann Daniels, Malik Work, and John “Ray” Proctor sit down with Melissa Lin Sturges to discuss their work on Our Verse in Time to Come, a Folger Theatre production that used Shakespeare as a jumping off point to become a testament to “the other bards”—the ones still living and the ones still to come.

From the Ground Up Podcast Teaser image featuring guest profile image.
Opening the National Theatre’s Doors to Devised Work
Podcast

Opening the National Theatre’s Doors to Devised Work

31 May 2023

Stewart Pringle, senior dramaturg at the National Theatre, sheds light on the theatre’s Generate program. Jeffrey Mosser and Stewart discuss the problem with the term “literary department,” when to take a risk, and why it’s important that the big fish in the big pond makes the investment in smaller-scale ensemble-based companies.

The cover of a book called The Wildcard Workbook: A Practical Guide for Jokering Forum Theatre. It is purple and yellow.
The Wildcard Workbook: Why Forum Theatre and Why Now?
Essay

The Wildcard Workbook: Why Forum Theatre and Why Now?

15 November 2022

Theatremakers Sulu LeoNimm, Liz Morgan, and Katy Rubin discuss the process of co-authoring The Wildcard Workbook, a guide designed to help others in the field delve into Theatre of the Oppressed practices and devised theatre processes.

Daughters of Lorraine Podcast teaser.
I Write What Comes Up in My Body: Robbie McCauley's Theatre
Podcast

I Write What Comes Up in My Body: Robbie McCauley's Theatre

24 August 2022

In this episode, Jordan Ealey and Leticia Ridley look at the life and legacy of playwright Robbie McCauley, who recently passed away. They discuss her work as a pioneer of solo performance as a Black woman and how she impacted the world of Black feminist theatre.

Two book covers side by side.
The Anti-War Play to End All War Plays: The Last Days of Mankind, 1922 to 2022
Essay

The Anti-War Play to End All War Plays: The Last Days of Mankind, 1922 to 2022

16 August 2022

Theatremaker Joel Schechter explains the importance of Karl Kraus’s The Last Days of Mankind and why he believes its anti-war message is still relevant today.

Playwrights Under the Radar
LMDA
Video

Playwrights Under the Radar

Literary Managers and Dramaturgs From the United States, Mexico, and Canada Share Twelve Playwrights and Play-Makers Whose Work You Should Know

Thursday 28 July 2022
United States, Mexico, Canada

Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas presented the conversation Playwrights Under the Radar livestreaming on the commons-based peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Thursday 28 July 2022 at 9 a.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 11 a.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / 12 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4).

Daughters of Lorraine Podcast teaser.
Working Her Own Tune: Revisiting the Life, Legacy, and Work of Micki Grant
Podcast

Working Her Own Tune: Revisiting the Life, Legacy, and Work of Micki Grant

6 July 2022

This episode honors the life and work of composer, writer, and performer Micki Grant, who passed away in August 2021. Grant was the first Black woman to write and compose a musical that made it to Broadway, and she is also the subject of Jordan's dissertation.

Creating a Space for Black Theatre Audiences
Podcast

Creating a Space for Black Theatre Audiences

With Addae Moon

29 June 2022

This episode is an interview with Addae Moon, the associate artistic director at Theatrical Outfit in Atlanta, Georgia. We discuss his journey as a theatre artist; his playwright development lab, Hush Harbor Lab; and his own artistry and creativity.

event poster for segal talks with anne cattaneo.
SEGAL TALKS: Anne Cattaneo
Segal_Centre_Logo
Segal
Center
Video

SEGAL TALKS: Anne Cattaneo

A conversation with Anne Cattaneo about her new book: The Art of Dramaturgy

Wednesday 8 December 2021
United States

The Martin E. Segal Theatre Center presented SEGAL TALKS, a conversation about curating, producing, and presenting theatre and performance in the time of COVID with Anne Cattaneo, livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network on Wednesday 8 December 2021 at 9 a.m. PST (San Francisco, UTC -8) / 11 a.m. CST (Chicago, UTC -6) / 12 p.m. EST (New York, UTC -5) / 17:00 GMT (London, UTC +0) / 18:00 CET (Berlin, UTC +1).

event poster for the kenneth tynan award 2021.
The Kenneth Tynan Award 2021
Dramaturgs' Network (UK)
Video

The Kenneth Tynan Award 2021

A Ceremony Celebrating the Twentieth Anniversary of the Dramaturgs’ Network and the Work of All the Shortlisted Nominees

Saturday 20 November 2021
London, United Kingdom

Dramaturgs' Network presented the Kenneth Tynan Award 2021 livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Saturday 20 November 2021 at 11:30 a.m. PST (San Francisco, UTC -8) / 2:30 p.m. EST (New York, UTC -5) / 19:30 GMT (London, UTC +0).

pink event poster with black power fist graphics.
Anti-racist Strategies in Dramaturgy
Dramaturgs' Network (UK)
Video

Anti-racist Strategies in Dramaturgy

A Robust Discussion of Some of the Most Pressing Issues in Theatre’s Move Towards a Decolonized Model

Saturday 20 November 2021
London, United Kingdom

Dramaturgs' Network presented a panel on Anti-racist Strategies in Dramaturgy livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Saturday 20 November 2021 at 9 a.m. PST (San Francisco, UTC -8) / 12 p.m. EST (New York, UTC -5) / 17:00 GMT (London, UTC +0).

event poster with speaker headshots for The Dramaturge as a curator and programmer.
The Dramaturge as a Curator and Programmer
Video

The Dramaturge as a Curator and Programmer

Episode Five of Decolonizing Dramaturgy: Theatremakers from Africa in Conversation

Wednesday 17 November 2021
Africa

Taiwo Afolabi presented Decolonizing Dramaturgy: The Dramaturge as a Curator and Programmer livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Wednesday 17 November 2021 at 9 a.m. PST (San Francisco, UTC -8) / 12 p.m. EST (New York, UTC -5) / 5 p.m. GMT (London, UTC +0) / 6 p.m. WAT (Lagos, UTC +1) / 18:00 CET (Berlin, UTC +1) / 19:00 SAST (Johannesburg, UTC +2) / 20:00 EAT (Nairobi, UTC +3).

event poster for Dramaturgical Skills and Creative Process: Insights from Three Theatremakers
Dramaturgical Skills and Creative Process: Insights from Three Theatremakers
Video

Dramaturgical Skills and Creative Process: Insights from Three Theatremakers

Episode Four of Decolonizing Dramaturgy: Theatremakers from Africa in Conversation

Wednesday 10 November 2021
Africa

Taiwo Afolabi presented Decolonizing Dramaturgy: Dramaturgical Skills and Creative Process: Insights from Three Theatremakers livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Wednesday 10 November 2021 at 9 a.m. PST (San Francisco, UTC -8) / 12 p.m. EST (New York, UTC -5) / 5 p.m. GMT (London, UTC +0) / 6 p.m. WAT (Lagos, UTC +1) / 18:00 CET (Berlin, UTC +1) / 19:00 SAST (Johannesburg, UTC +2) / 20:00 EAT (Nairobi, UTC +3).

episode 3 poster for decolonizing dramatury.
Self-Dramaturgy and Dramaturging Others: Dramaturge as a Nurturer
Video

Self-Dramaturgy and Dramaturging Others: Dramaturge as a Nurturer

Episode Three of Decolonizing Dramaturgy: Theatremakers from Africa in Conversation

Wednesday 3 November 2021
Africa

Taiwo Afolabi presented Decolonizing Dramaturgy: Self-Dramaturgy and dramaturging others: dramaturge as a nurturer livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Wednesday 3 November 2021 at 9 a.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 12 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4) / 4 p.m. GMT (London, UTC +0) / 5 p.m. WAT (Lagos, UTC +1) / 17:00 CET (Berlin, UTC +1) / 18:00 SAST (Johannesburg, UTC +2) / 19:00 EAT (Nairobi, UTC +3).

event poster with speaker headshots for Dramaturgy and dramaturgical processes from Egypt, Nigeria and Zimbabwe.
Dramaturgy and Dramaturgical Processes from Egypt, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe
Video

Dramaturgy and Dramaturgical Processes from Egypt, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe

Episode Two of Decolonizing Dramaturgy: Theatremakers from Africa in Conversation

Wednesday 27 October 2021
Africa

Taiwo Afolabi presented Decolonizing Dramaturgy: Dramaturgy and dramaturgical processes from Egypt, Nigeria and Zimbabwe livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Wednesday 27 October 2021 at 9 a.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 12 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4) / 5 p.m. WAT (Lagos, UTC +1) / 17:00 BST (London, UTC +1) / 18:00 SAST (Johannesburg, UTC +2) / 18:00 CEST (Berlin, UTC +2) / 19:00 EAT (Nairobi, UTC +3).

event poster for decolonizing dramaturgy: Situating Dramaturgical Discourse in Africa.
Situating Dramaturgical Discourse in Africa
Video

Situating Dramaturgical Discourse in Africa

Episode One of Decolonizing Dramaturgy: Theatremakers from Africa in Conversation

Wednesday 20 October 2021
Africa

Taiwo Afolabi presented Decolonizing Dramaturgy: Situating Dramaturgical Discourse in Africa livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Wednesday 20 October 2021 at 9 a.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 12 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4) / 5 p.m. WAT (Lagos, UTC +1) / 17:00 BST (London, UTC +1) / 18:00 SAST (Johannesburg, UTC +2) / 18:00 CEST (Berlin, UTC +2) / 19:00 EAT (Nairobi, UTC +3).

graphic with text poster for 2021 L M D A conference in mexico city.
Without Borders: Dramaturgy in the New Decade: In-Person Gathering
LMDA
Video

Without Borders: Dramaturgy in the New Decade: In-Person Gathering

Sin Fronteras: Dramaturgismo en la Nueva Década

Monday 28 June and Tuesday 29 June 2021
Ciudad de Mexico

Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas presented Without Borders: Dramaturgy in the New Decade / Sin Fronteras: Dramaturgismo en la Nueva Década livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Monday 28 June and Tuesday 29 June.

graphic with text poster for 2021 L M D A conference in mexico city.
Without Borders: Dramaturgy in the New Decade: Virtual Synchronous
LMDA
Video

Without Borders: Dramaturgy in the New Decade: Virtual Synchronous

Sin Fronteras: Dramaturgismo en la Nueva Década

Thursday 17 June and Friday 18 June 2021
Ciudad de Mexico

Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas presented Without Borders: Dramaturgy in the New Decade / Sin Fronteras: Dramaturgismo en la Nueva Década livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Thursday 17 June and Friday 18 June 2021.

Image of two puppeteers on stage using puppets in front of a digital created forest backdrop.
Spaces of Puppetry in Lübeck
Essay

Spaces of Puppetry in Lübeck

7 April 2021

Antonia Napp, Sonja Riehn, Silke Technau, and Stephan Schlafke share learnings about running KOLK 17, a cultural institution in Lübeck, Germany that combines a puppetry theatre company and puppetry museum, and where the goal is to redefine exhibiting the art form.

text LEVEL UP
Level Up: The Dramaturgy of Digital Performance and Design
Associated Designers of Canada
woman in park looking at cell phone
Toasterlab
Video

Level Up: The Dramaturgy of Digital Performance and Design

Engaging in meaningful conversations on digital tools in live performance

Monday 18 January - Saturday 13 February 2021
Canada

Associated Designers of Canada and ToasterLab presented the symposium Level Up: The Dramaturgy of Digital Performance and Design livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv from Monday 18 January to Saturday 13 February 2021.

Contemporary Authorship and Traditional Practice
Tebere Arts Foundation
NBO musical theatre initiative logo.
Nairobi Musical Theatre Initiative
Video

Contemporary Authorship and Traditional Practice

The Stories Women Carry: Creative Practice of African Women from the Continent

Monday 16 November 2020
Kenya

Tebere Arts Foundation presented the conversation Contemporary Authorship and Traditional Practice with The Stories Women Carry: Creative Practice of African Women from the Continent livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Monday 16 November 2020 at 9 a.m. PST (San Francisco, UTC -8) / 12 p.m. EST (New York, UTC -5) / 8 p.m. EAT (Nairobi, UTC +3).

screenshot of two tweets
Theatre of the Mind
Essay

Theatre of the Mind

A Dramaturgical Perspective on Tabletop Role-Playing Games

29 September 2020

Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak and Nicholas Orvis—three dramaturgs and gamers—talk about what theatremakers can learn from the collaborative storytelling techniques employed in tabletop role-playing games.

madeline sayet holding a paper shakespeare mask
Interrogating the Shakespeare System
Essay

Interrogating the Shakespeare System

31 August 2020

Madeline Sayet argues that promoting Shakespeare as the best writer of all time is a dangerous and white supremacist viewpoint, and she believes it’s time to interrogate the Bard’s placecent as the pinnacle of theatrical achievement.