Based on my experience at Michigan State, I recommend considering the following categories to frame questions and strategies, not necessarily in this order:
1. Strategic positioning:
What are the strengths and gaps in your department? Dramaturgy is related to Directing, Design, Theatre Studies, Theatre Management. Directing: One easy thing was having a call for student dramaturg applications get sent out with a call for Assistant Director applications.
Design: In my department it was important for me to advocate for dramaturgs to have a more significant role in the design process because it starts well before auditions and rehearsals. Be strategic about describing outcomes: I say “research packet” rather than “actor packet.” (You might do better with actor packet.) I encourage student dramaturgs to create PowerPoint presentations because that tends to be how our designers share their work.
Colleagues: Who are your dramaturgical allies among faculty and staff? You might have a costume shop supervisor with a dramaturgical sensibility. The person in charge of marketing or PR might appreciate dramaturgs generating material for press releases or social media posts.
2. Curriculum:
Can your curriculum support a dramaturgy class? The answer here is no, at least not as an elective. BA students tend to be double majors; BFA students want to specialize.
How can you incorporate dramaturgy assignments in Theatre Studies courses? I have used Honors Option as an incentive for Honors College students. I assign season pitch projects and new work pitch projects to show how theatre history is useful for students as artists and to help students develop grant writing skills.
Students were getting practicum credits (THR 300C) for dramaturgy before I arrived, but without clear expectations or integration into production process.
3. Translation and Analogy:
I get a lot of mileage out of defining a dramaturg as an “information designer.” Modeling the THR 300C expectations for dramaturgs on the design contract for the same course was also useful. Design students receive formalized mentorship, with specific steps in the design process. Scheduling weekly check-ins with student dramaturgs in person or via email added significant buy-in from faculty colleagues and helped me to monitor student performance more effectively.
4. Taking up space:
What is worth advocating for and how many times are you willing to advocate for it? Can you get a budget line for research materials? How much real estate do you get in the program for a dramaturg’s note? Is there a dedicated space for a lobby display? Can you get student stage managers to include a Dramaturgy section in the rehearsal report?
