Dramaturgy
The contextual and research-based lifeblood of any production, the dramaturg’s work exists in any number of guises and functions, which include workshop support in new play development; pre-production research preparation; company enrichment; pre- and post-show audience engagement; data collection; and community outreach, amongst many others. Today, traditional modes of dramaturgy expand into and adapt technological innovation, new approaches to text, and fresh foundations for methods of production support, all based on a core value of seeking a deeper understanding of the work at hand.
Photo by Teresa Castracane Photography.
Deadline Feb 1, 2024
Program
The LMDA/KCACTF Student Dramaturgy Award is designed to recognize contributions by student dramaturgs to the conception, development and production of theater within their colleges and universities, or to educational projects in dramaturgy. The philosophical foundation of this award – like that of dramaturgy itself – rests in the belief that art benefits from examination on the parts of both artist and audience, and that creative inspiration accompanied by analysis and reflection is most likely to lead to productions and projects that fulfill the spiritual, social and personal potential of the theatrical event.
This award is the result of a unique collaboration between Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas (LMDA), the professional association of dramaturgs and literary managers working in North America, and the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF), a national program dedicated to improving the quality of college and university theater in the United States. Additional support is provided by the Association for Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE). Professional dramaturgs, members of LMDA who live in each region, will select the winner of that region's LMDA/KCACTF Student Award in Dramaturgy.
Event
Program Participation Eligibility
To be eligible, students must be:
Undergraduate and graduate students who work specifically as the dramaturg on a production or workshop, or who submit work created for a dramaturgy class are eligible to participate. If the project is a workshop or production, the student must be credited as the dramaturg.
Attending an institution that has entered either an associate or participating production during the year in which the nomination occurs; and
A bona fide student at the time of the Regional Festival. (Students need not be enrolled full-time, but we encourage students to attend the Regional Festival to represent their project.)
Dramaturgy Coordinators
Region 6 - Caili Crow caili.s.crow@gmail.com
National Dramaturgy Advisor - Diane Brewer db57@evansville.edu
Dramaturgy at the National Festival
Regional fellowship recipients will receive membership in LMDA.
Each of the eight regional award-recipients will submit their project for review by a National Selection Panel, convened by the Kennedy Center, who will choose the most promising four student dramaturgs to receive an all-expense paid residency at the National Festival at the Kennedy Center in mid-April, and multi-day workshops with leading artists in both production and new play dramaturgy.
The recipients of the National LMDA/KCACTF Fellowships will receive a one-year membership in ATHE, a one-year membership in LMDA. Students will also be considered for such learning opportunities as fellowships at the O'Neill Playwrights' Conference, The Playwrights' Center in Minneapolis, and the Kennedy Center/National New Play Network MFA Playwrights' Workshop.
LMDA/KCACTF Student Dramaturgy Award
The LMDA/KCACTF Student Dramaturgy Award is designed to recognize contributions by student dramaturgs to the conception, development and production of theater within their colleges and universities, or to educational projects in dramaturgy. The philosophical foundation of this award – like that of dramaturgy itself – rests in the belief that art benefits from examination on the parts of both artist and audience, and that creative inspiration accompanied by analysis and reflection is most likely to lead to productions and projects that fulfill the spiritual, social and personal potential of the theatrical event.
Submission Details
Create an application packet that includes:
A title page, including the project title and dates, your name and school, and your full contact information.
Two written statements: one describing the scope of the project and its challenges, the other detailing the process from start to finish.
A letter of nomination from a faculty member. (You may include more letters from collaborating artists or audience members, or fellow students/teachers in a classroom project, but we only require one.)
Relevant materials that demonstrate your analysis and materials researched, not to exceed 100 pages. This can include emails, pictures of your display, information on websites created, questions asked during the process, and other research gathered.
Award Criteria
Distinctiveness: What is creative about the dramaturg’s approach and/or analysis?
Contextualization: How is the production or project enhanced by dramaturgical analysis or research; alternatively, how is the academic project in dramaturgy imaginatively projected into a larger social, political, academic or artistic setting?
Impact: In what way are the audience, artists or institution enriched by dramaturgical ideas and execution?
Ethics: How are issues that might be raised by the terms of the collaboration or changing responsibilities dealt with and/or resolved?
Significance: How does this project inform, challenge or advance the field of dramaturgy, in general and/or within the student’s school?
Award Eligibility
Undergraduate and graduate students who work specifically as the dramaturg on a production or workshop, or who submit work created for a dramaturgy class. If the project is a workshop or production, the student must be credited as the dramaturg. The student does not need to be enrolled full-time to apply.
This award is the result of a unique collaboration between Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas (LMDA), the professional association of dramaturgs and literary managers working in North America, and the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF), a national program dedicated to improving the quality of college and university theater in the United States. Additional support is provided by the Association for Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE). Professional dramaturgs, members of LMDA who live in each region, will select the winner of that region's LMDA/KCACTF Student Award in Dramaturgy.
Eligibility
Students will need a computer or tablet and a WiFi connection. If you encounter any difficulty in securing access to these, please contact your Regional Dramaturgy Coordinator so that we can assist you.
To be eligible to participate, students must be:
Attending an institution that has entered either an associate or participating production during the year in which the nomination occurs; and
A bona fide student at the time of the Regional Festival.
How to Participate
You do not need to be nominated by a faculty member to participate. Application package includes materials for reference to fill out. Your reference can be a faculty member, a guest artist in the process, or a student peer that participated in the cast or on the production side. The reference is meant to give the respondent more context about your process and process engagement.
Please note that if you are interested in Dramaturgy, but wish to not complete requirements for consideration for LMDA award, you may still participate. All interested in the area of Dramaturgy are welcome!