This was my first effort to describe what a dramaturg does. I put it together as an undergrad, while working as dramaturg for a production of The Threepenny Opera. To see other descriptions/definitions, go back to the What is a Dramaturg? page.

It's a bit random, but still helpful I think.

A Dramaturg's Tasks

I have been asked so many times what a dramaturg is/does, that I've decided to write up a description. The following is a series of rough (and somewhat random) notes based on: theatre textbooks, university (i.e. MFA in dramaturgy) program descriptions, exchanges in internet discussion groups, and personal discussion with dramaturgs. It should be noted that none of these sources listed all of the following tasks in their description.

• reading and assessment of new plays.
• in production, works primarily with director but may also be a resource for actors, designers and technicians.
• consultation with artistic director on the development of artistic policy and repertoire.
• the supervision of the public pronouncements of the theatre insofar as they reflect its repertoire and aesthetics.
• preparation of texts for performance. this is the main work of a dramaturg, can include:
  • revising/editing scripts
  • adapting non-theatrical text into a script
  • translation of scripts from other languages
  • advisor for playwrights writing or workshopping a new script.
  • liaison between playwright and director
• "official representative" of audience to the theatre company
• writing program notes
• writing of mission statements about artistic goals
• dramatic editor
• distinction is often made between a production dramaturg and literary manager.
  • production dramaturg's duties relate to a specific show
  • a literary manager (or company/resident dramaturg) has ongoing duties within the theatre company, including review and selection of scripts, etc. (as described above).
• some distinguish, within what I'm calling the work of the production dramaturg, between production dramaturgy and audience dramaturgy.
  • i.e. distinguishing between the work a dramaturg does:
    1. with cast, management and crew of the production--as described above
    2. and in "meeting" the audience, e.g. lobby displays, program notes, study guides, post-show discussions, seminars.
• dramaturgs, through their written work, leave a detailed documentation of the productions they work on, which can prove quite valuable to those attempting to do research the production in the future. otherwise newspaper reviews are often the only lasting documentation.