Dramaturgy and Me

Hello, my name is Kevin Brazil.  I am in my sixth semester at Sam Houston State University (SHSU) studying Theatre with an emphasis in acting/directing.  You could call me a super senior.

I saw the term "dramturg" first a few years ago when I saw the touring production of RENT.  I had no clue what it was.  I googled it later that day.  It has fascinated me ever since.  As a person who loves history and theatre, it is the best of both worlds.  And to think you could make a career out of it was a plus.  I am taking this class because I find it interesting.  It is as simple as that.


Manoel Felciano and Kelli O'Hara in
Sunday in the Park With George

As a person who wants to work in small theatre as a creative/artistic director learning the craft of dramaturgy would be very useful.  To be able to help out in the research phase for developing plays and musicals year round would be a hoot.  Considering the budget of most small theatre companies it would be useful to have an on site dramaturg.

I have never worked as or with a dramaturg.  Though I have had to do extensive research while taking directing classes.

The play I have chosen to work on as a dramaturg-in-progress is Sunday in the Park with George with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine.

Defining dramaturgy

A dramaturg is many things, a historian, a researcher, a theatre critic… I could go on. But the job can be summed up in three broad functions. A dramaturg aids in analyzing and assembling the script, advises the members of the production, and educates the audience. Each production is different so a dramaturg looks for different information for each one.  Bethany Lutheran