Frame/Works; Dramaturgy; Playreading groups

Dramaturgy

Dramaturgy as an artistic-intellectual practice has existed in some form or another since the origins of Western theatre. Officially, however, dramaturgy can be traced back to the late 18^th century, with the publication of Gotthold Ephraim Lessing's text Hamburg Dramaturgy. According to Bert Cardullo, dramaturgy today "denotes the multi-faceted study of a given play: its author, content, style, and interpretive possibilities, together with its historical, theatrical, and intellectual background" (3). Dramaturgy can include a number of tasks: literary management, the development of new playwriting, collaboration with directors, designers, and actors, season selection, and audience outreach. Dramaturgy synthesizes research across a number of historical moments and disciplines including the context within which a play text was originally written and performed, the paradigm within which the production is staged, and the current moment of production. As Elinor Fuchs notes, "dramatic worlds don't just speak to and within themselves; they also speak to each other" (9). Dramaturgy explores parallels, intersections, and connections between seemingly disparate historic moments. Noted scholar and professional dramaturg Felicia Hardison Londré notes that "the dramaturg's words constitute invisible connecting links between page and stage and between theatre artist and theatre consumer" (1). Students enrolled in the Production Practicum in Dramaturgy will experience all stages of dramaturgical research, production support, and audience outreach, serving as a collaborator on an array of productions.

Works Cited

Cardullo, Bert, Ed. What is Dramaturgy? New York: Peter Lang, 1995.

Fuchs, Elinor. "EF's Visit to a Small Planet: Some Questions to Ask a Play." Theater 34.2 (Summer 2004): 4-9.

Lessing, Gotthold Ephraim. Hamburg Dramaturgy. Trans. Helen Zimmern. New York: Dover Publications, 1962.

Londré, Felicia Hardison. Words at Play: Creative Writing and Dramaturgy. Carbondale: Southern Illinois University Press, 2005.

Frame/Works

Frame/Works is a program designed to draw connections between scholarly examination and artistic practice. Scholars are invited to present their research on a play, playwright, historical moment, genre or style in a pre-show lecture prior to a performance. Following the performance, they are invited to share their responses to the production along with selected members of the cast and creative team. Attendees and audience members are enthusiastically encouraged to join in the discussions. Together, we "frame" a "work" of theatrical art.

Current Year's Events:

March 28th, 2012

"Acting Shaw: Truth & Theatricality"
John Gulley, UNCG

A Free Pre-Show Lecture-Discussion for the UNCG Theatre production of Man and Superman

5:00-6:15 p.m.
Brown Theatre

According to George Bernard Shaw, the "beginning and the end of the business [of acting] from the author's point of view is the art of making the audience believe that real things are happening to real people." But Shaw also said this: "...my plays require a special technique of acting, and, in particular, great virtuosity."

When acting Shaw an actor must be fully believable and grounded. The actor, however, must also be able to honor the heightened language of Shaw (especially the long Shavian 'arias'). The challenge, then, for the Shavian actor is this: while being completely truthful, he/she must sing beautifully!

In this lecture/demonstration, Professor John Gulley outlines the specific challenges of performing Shaw, and with the help of two UNCG actors, demonstrates some of the tools that an actor must employ to meet those challenges.

Assisting Professor Gulley will be BFA actors Patrick Ball and Cameron Bass who play, respectively, Jack Tanner and Octavius Robinson in UNCG's production of Man and Superman.

Professor Gulley will present his research, followed by a Q & A discussion with those in attendance. Frame/Works attendees are encouraged to see Man Superman that evening. Following the March 28th performance of Man and Superman, audience members are invited to stay for a post-performance discussion with the presenters and selected cast members. For more information on Frame/Works, contact Dr. Chris Woodworth (cewoodwo@uncg.edu or 336-334-3892).

For tickets to Man and Superman visit: http://performingarts.uncg.edu/event/man-and-superman

Download the flyer

November 2nd, 2011:

"The Prison as 'Public Secret'"
Dr. Nina Billone Prieur, Duke University

"Behind the Razor Wire: Incarcerated Women and Questions of Representation"
Dr. Ashley Lucas, UNC-Chapel Hill

"Aileen Carol Wournos, Heroine of Last Resort"
Dr. Jules Odendahl-James, Duke University

Download Flyer or Download Abstracts and Bios

Playreading Group

The Playreading Group was newly formed in the spring semester of 2011 in preparation for visits by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwrights Paula Vogel and Suzan-Lori Parks. Groups of students and faculty gather to read and discuss contemporary plays. Check back often for updates on future meetings of the Playreading Group as we continue to explore work by other contemporary writers.

To commemorate the tenth anniversary of 9/11, the playreading group is exploring works written in response to the tragedy (or, in the case of Churchill's Far Away, contemporary works whose post-9/11 productions are inflected by the events). Students and Faculty gather on Wednesdays at 4:15 in Taylor Conference Room (31) to read the plays aloud and to discuss them. Participants are encouraged to bring their own copies of each play or to borrow from a friend, the library, or Interlibrary Loan.

There are currently no Playreading Group events scheduled. Check back in the Fall for an updated list!