Examples of What Dramaturgs Do - Part 5 - Production Packet

A dramaturg's production packet is a packet that is shared (and most likely discussed before it is made and throughout the whole process that it is being made) with the director(s) and designers. It will an in-depth analysis of the play (if working on the play with one set, this may end up not needing to be done for this packet as it may have already been done for the research and counter text packet if that was wanted), a contextual essay that serves as foundation of the research, an annotated bibliography providing brief abstracts, and a research file of items of substantial impact (things that are "directly relevant") to the script. Of course, these can change depending on theatres and directors, but this is what is included in general. Certain directors may not want as many things or they may have an idea that they have researched and thus do not need the dramaturg's research. However, having a dramaturg that does the research frees the director from having to do it. All the director needs to do is tell the dramaturg the idea and the dramaturg can research it. Then if that aspect for the play cannot be found, the dramaturg can tell that to the director.

For an example, I am going to use Tennessee William's, The Glass Menagerie. It might start out with a paragraph about how the approach should not seem like a play that is currently happening, but how it should feel like a distant memory since it is a memory play. If it were a different play that has possible different approaches, the one wanted would most likely be mentioned or the different ways to approach the play would be mentioned.

An overview would be given. It would probably say things like, "The Glass Menagerie is a memory play. While there is a lot of action from Amanda and Laura, the play is really about Tom. It is important that the play does not lose the feel of Tom's memory." This should be a full paragraph. Then there may be another full paragraph where the dramaturg makes a proposal about the play if this has no already been decided. It could be something like, "I propose that The Glass Menagerie is about the inseparable love of siblings or it might say, "I propose that The Glass Menagerie is about the guilt of leaving your family. Details that could support the idea proposed would be included in the paragraph.

When it comes to the in depth analysis of the play, different dramaturgs will do things different and different directors will want things done differently. However, in general, this is going to go over the setting, the characters, the events, the mood, the language, the staging, and the costumes of the play. It would make sense to have each of these separated and make sure that each has at least two paragraphs that go deep into covering these parts of the play. The part about characters is not just a quick overview like is found in the personae dramatis at the beginning of the play. This section will be about the character's attitudes, ideas, relationships with the other characters, and other things that can be mined from the script.

Pictures about ideas of the sets, costumes, makeup, and props can be given in the pictures. This could be a simple picture to give a feel for the ideas or it could be in more detail to give a big picture of these things.

After this, the significant pieces of research are included. The important parts will most likely be highlighted in some way. Important notes from the dramaturg will also be written on these.

After this, the dramaturg will include an annotated work cited. The works will be cited like normal, but then the annotation will describe what each work is and why it was included. The annotations should be one to two short sentences.