“Invisible dramaturgy” observed: Conducting dramaturgy without dramaturgs in the evolving world of Scottish play creation

Belke, David (2024) “Invisible dramaturgy” observed: Conducting dramaturgy without dramaturgs in the evolving world of Scottish play creation. MRes thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

This research paper examines how contemporary Scottish theatres undertake the challenge of textual dramaturgy for production without the participation of a dramaturg, a process defined as “invisible dramaturgy’.

After researching the history of recent play development in Scotland, case studies of six scripts being shepherded by very different companies were undertaken. Each company had unique reasons for absenting a dramaturg from their process. Each had unique solutions.

Interviews with participants were undertaken, textual material was examined and in one case rehearsals were observed. Each study provides a description of the play, how the script was developed, the reasoning behind the choices made and an analysis of the process including key insights drawn from each case.

Although dramaturgy is considered essential by Scottish theatre companies, they demonstrate that its practice is adaptable to the needs and circumstance of the production and its artists while still looking to define itself as a practice.

• Item Type: Thesis (MRes)
• Qualification Level: Masters
• Colleges/Schools: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Culture and Creative Arts
• Supervisor's Name: Heinrich, Professor Anslem and Eatough, Dr. Graham
• Date of Award: 2024
• Depositing User: Theses Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:2024-84028
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 14 Mar 2024 16:55
• Last Modified: 14 Mar 2024 16:55
• Thesis DOI: 10.5525/gla.thesis.84028
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/84028