Essential Dramaturgy The Mindset and Skillset [Paperback]

Essential Dramaturgy: The Mindset and Skillset provides a concrete way to approach the work of a dramaturg. It explores ways to refine the process of defining, evaluating, and communicating that is essential to effective dramaturgical work. It then looks at how this outlook enhances the practical skills of production and new play dramaturgy. The book explains what a dramaturg does, what the role can be, and how best to refine and teach the skillset and mindset.

Chapter 1 - Introduction

Part One: The Mindset

Chapter 2  Unpacking the Question

Chapter 3  The Forest and the Trees

Chapter 4  Timing

Chapter 5  Why This, Here, Now?

Part Two: The Skillset

Chapter 6  What You Need

Chapter 7  How You Apply It

Chapter 8  When It Works

Theresa Lang's Essential Dramaturgy: The Mindset and Skillsetoffers a productive theoretical and methodological contribution to a growing literature on the field of dramaturgy. Lang argues for shifting away from task-based definitions of dramaturgy, advocating instead for understanding a dramaturgical mindset through the use of to dramaturgas an active verb. The book is divided into two parts, beginning with a theoretical approach (mindset) and concluding with practical applications (skillset). This structure makes for engaging and accessible reading that will appeal to upper-level undergraduates and graduate students with interests in dramaturgy, and to early career dramaturgs.

-Daniel Smith, Theatre Topics

Theresa Langis a teacher, director, and dramaturg. She holds a BA in Drama from the University of Dallas, an MA in Theatre from Brown University, and a PhD in Drama from Tufts University. A theatre historian, her areas of specials¾