CFP: Dramaturgy as Public Criticism for ATHE 2019 in Orlando

CFP: Dramaturgy as Public Criticism

A multi-disciplinary panel to be submitted to Theory & Criticism and Dramaturgy Focus Groups

Association for Theatre in Higher Education conference, Orlando, Florida, August 7-11, 2019

Public theatre criticism is disappearing from traditional outlets (periodicals) at the same as dramaturgs and education/audience development associates are increasingly developing initiatives and programming to help audiences make meaning out of their theatrical experiences. Program notes, audience study guides, interviews, talk backs, lobby displays, reading groups, pre/post show lectures, and interactive experiences are now regular features of theatre-going across theatres of various sizes, budgets, and missions. These dramaturgical efforts function to contextualize and offer frameworks for interpretation. In doing so, they overlap with the missions and activities of the public humanities, public history, and museum studies.

This panel aims to explore how public-focused dramaturgy (as opposed to production-focused dramaturgy) produces and teaches theatre criticism. Potential topics include:

·       The place of theory in public-oriented dramaturgical practice (i.e. a Foucauldian or Althusserian lobby display)

·       Comparative explorations between classroom/academic criticism and public dramaturgy

·       Canons and vocabularies of interpretation and aesthetics for the public

·       The place and problems of affect in audience development

·       Best (and worst) practices for public criticism

·       Public dramaturgy as public pedagogy

Interested scholars and dramaturgs should send a brief abstract (250 words) and CV or bio to Dan Smith (dansmith_251[at]yahoo.com) and Gina Di Salvo (gina.disalvo[at]gmail.com) by Sept 30 in preparation for panel submission in advance of ATHE’s deadline.  

Interview with Misanthrope Actor Katelyn Hodge

Interview with Katelyn Hodge (Arsinoe)

DS: Who is Arsinoé?

KH: Arsinoé is a woman who goes for what she wants. She is unafraid of a challenge, and will continue to push anything and anyone that might stand in her way. She's passionate about what she likes and what she doesn't, and that includes people. She's also got a pretty killer laugh.

DS: What is the biggest challenge or most fun part of playing this role?

KH: I think the biggest challenge is also what is the most fun about Arsinoe: the character is so unique in that she's talked about multiple times by other characters before she walks onto stage. In fact, she is actually ridiculed right before she enters stage for the first time. That makes my job as actor so much freeing, because no choice is too large or too off the wall, because everyone already has an idea of who she is before I enter. I love being able to mess with those expectations.

I also love having a group of incredible scenes, and a very talented cast to play with. That’s the word I keep coming back to: play, because the level of talent and the level of respect for each other in this cast and crew are both so heightened that we can continue to work hard but manage to laugh ourselves sore every night.

DS: How does this role compare to other roles you have played at MSU?

KH: This role is totally different from previous ones here at MSU, because its a much older period piece than I've had the opportunity to do before. I'm exploring so much more in depth about the 1700s than I had previously, which has been so cool.

I think the best part is that her issues are still things people deal with today, a loss of love and having a "frenenemy." Its still really easy to connect to her, even though she existed 300 years ago.

Interviews with Misanthrope Actors

Director Dan Smith asked some questions to Janette Angelini (Célimène) and Evan Phillips (Clitandre). These interviews will give you some insight into how an actor thinks about a role.

Interview with Janette Angelini

Dan Smith: Who is Célimène?

Janette Angelini: Celimene is an energetic, confident flirt and recent widow who has a deep struggle with commitment. Although she has openly admitted her love for Alceste, she acknowledges her other suitors and entertains them with both seduction and her knack and talent for gossip. Her life is centered around the balancing act she performs to keep them all in her back pocket. But how long can this act last you might ask!? You'll have to see the show!

DS: What is the biggest challenge or most fun part of playing this role?

JA: The biggest challenge for me in this role is just to keep her unapologetically candid. Most people have the tendency to hold back or filter themselves but Celimene is almost the epitome of no filter (not to say this has no consequence). Although that is a challenge it is also one of the most fun parts of performing this character. She also really knows herself and knows how to play others so finding those nuances within her relationships with other characters has been extremely enjoyable.

DS: How does this role compare to other roles you have played?

JA: This is such an exciting opportunity for me because this is my first classical show! I am constantly surprising myself with how much I have enjoyed this new style and process.

Interview with Evan Phillips

DS: Who is Clitandre?

EP: Clitandre is a Marquess, gossip enthusiast and potential suitor of Célimène, a woman who is desired by the majority of the men in the play.

DS: What is the biggest challenge of playing this role?

EP: Playing a Fop in the highly sophisticated Seventeenth Century is really challenging. Staying true and accurate to the time period while also embracing the possibilities of making ridiculous and foolish choices is definitely a balance that can be hard to juggle with.

DS: What is the most fun part of playing this role?

EP: In this show, Clitandre reveals very little about himself personally. So as an actor, I feel like I have a lot more freedom to construct all of the ridiculous thoughts & mannerisms of this character. It's a lot of fun to essentially have permission to look as ludicrous and absurd as I can, which makes Clitandre a rather enjoyable character to portray.

DS: How does this role compare to other parts you have played at MSU?

EP: I've played a lot of comedic characters during my time at MSU, so the role of Clitandre is a familiar one for me. Compared to my past roles, however, Clitandre is definitely the most flamboyant of them all and I've had a lot of fun playing a character who radiates such a high level of confidence and vibrancy whenever he happens to be present on the stage.