Dramaturgy 101
Script Analysis Topics
Wait, when did we learn that?
Access is for everyone
Let's get specific
100

"The curation of an experience for an audience"

What is dramaturgy?

100

A "well made script" follows this structure.

What is Freytag's Pyramid?

100

The things in society that we all broadly agree exist, and can help us make sense of the world. Examples might include "Gender," "Colors," "Money," "Borders."

What are "social constructs?"

100

These are broadly considered to be the "Five Pilars of Social Justice"

What are diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and human rights?

100

The name of the playwright for your selected project script.

Who is... "playwright?"

200

First step in starting dramaturgy work.

What is, "defining the project?" or "defining the scope of work?"
200

The functional role of a character who shows us a contrast to the protagonist - highlights their strengths, weaknesses, or functions as a mirror - without being directly in conflict with the protagonist.

What is a "foil"?

200

Name some ways to improve accessibility in any space you're in (not just theater).

What are "allowing extra time for people to respond in the moment," "having flexible due dates for full credit/without judgement," "offering Zoom every time," "having an access survey or check-in," etc. 

200

The month and year that the ADA passed

When was July 1990?

200

The leadership role you would take in this production, and your approach to leadership in that position.

What is, "director" and "collaborative and inclusive approach?" OR What is, "producer" and "decentralized/shared approach," etc.

300

A list of some things a dramaturg might create or do.

What is "create a glossary," "research on historical, cultural, or other context," "ask questions of a director in support of their vision," "answer questions from production members," "create materials for the guest audiences," "host talk backs or conversations," or more.

300

He wrote "Poetics," which is largely regarded as the foundational source of script analysis.

Who is Aristotle?

300

Name three of your "relational resources" - if you were putting on a show, 3 relationships you could leverage to be successful.

Who are "Aly," "my friend who is a lighting designer," "my friend who is a stage manager," "my friend who works at a theater company where we could rehearse for free or cheap," etc.

300

The difference between "Accessibility" and "Accommodations"

What is "Accessibility is proactive" and "accommodations are reactive?"

300

All the production roles that are needed for your production.

What are, "Producer, Director, Actors, Designers, Technicians, Stage Managers" and/or "Choreographers, Intimacy choreographers, access coordinators, dialect coach, music director, child wrangler." and more.

400

A list of some of the people a dramaturg works with

Who are "the director," "the producers," "the actors," "the audience," "the designers," "the marketing team," "the casting team," or others?

400

A definition of "Inciting Incident"

What is "the moment that breaks the status quo and sets the play into motion."

400

Name an exercise you could lead in a rehearsal or team-building setting to build trust, vulnerability, or collaboration.

What are "the identities around the room exercise," "creating individual or shared mission statements," "the four corners/map/timeline exercise," "first creative response exercise," "share an image exercise" and more

400

Three examples of accessibility for an audience.

What are touch tours, ASL interpreted performances, relaxed performances, mask required performances, sensory kits, ramps or elevators at a venue, house staff with disability training, and more.

400
The access plan for your production.

What is, "having relaxed performances, captioned performances," "having an adjusted break schedule in rehearsals, allowing actors to be on book longer," "Intentionally casting people with disabilities," "having an access questionnaire for all production members," etc.

500

If we had to be specific, this is the definition of dramaturgy

What is, "the curation of an event for an audience?"

500

The six essential elements of a play, articulated by Aristotle.

What are "plot, character, thought/ideas, diction/language, song/melody, and spectacle?"

500

Share your mission statement with the class.

What is, ".... fill in the blank with your written mission statement..."?

500

The "5 A's of Access"

What are "Affordability, Availability, Accessibility, Accommodation, and Acceptability?"

500

Give us a roughly 30 second director's pitch for your production.

What is "my pitch"?

M
e
n
u