Dramaturgy for Theatre Makers

Paul Sirett is an award-winning playwright, dramaturg, musician and teacher. He set up the MA/MFA in Playwriting at RADA, UK, and is a script consultant for Trafalgar Entertainment, as well as previously dramaturg for the RSC and Literary Manager for the Soho Theatre. He has published fourteen plays and a book, The Playwright's Manifesto (2022, Methuen Drama), which was shortlisted for the Theatre Book Prize 2023.

• AcknowledgementsIntroduction - There’s a Hole in My BucketPART ONE – THE BASICS1.1 Dramaturgy and Dramaturgs1 What is dramaturgy?2 What is a dramaturg?3 What dies a dramaturg do?4 Is it dramaturg or dramaturge?5 What does a dramaturg need to know?6 Do you need strong opinions to be a dramaturg?7 What type of person makes a good dramaturg?8 How long has dramaturgy been around?9 Is a dramaturg the same as a literary manager?10 What is the difference between a freelance dramaturg and a company dramaturg?11 Is a dramaturg an artist?12 Does a script-orientated dramaturg also need to be a playwright?13 Does a dramaturg need to be an academic?14 Does every dramaturg need to know about classical drama?15 Does theatre really need dramaturgs?16 How do you become a dramaturg?17 Is it possible to earn a living as a dramaturg?18 Are there any other jobs a dramaturg might need to do?19 What other careers can dramaturgy lead to?20 What is the hardest thing about being a dramaturg?21 What is the best thing about being a dramaturg?1.2 Basic Elements of DramaturgyDramatic StructureCharacterUse of LanguageNature of Engagement / TheatricalityPART TWO - THE 360-DEGREE METHOD2.1 Outline of the 360-Degree Method2.2 Reading 3602.3 New Writing 3602.4 Classics 3602.5 Musicals 3602.6 Devised 360PART THREE - ADVANCED DRAMATURGY3.1 A Hermeneutic ApproachArt or ScienceHermeneutics3.2 The GameBasicsTasteSubjectivity v ObjectivityReasonRationalism v EmpiricismIntellect v InstinctTruthMetaphysics & OntologyHis-story. Her-story. Their-story. The-story. This-story. That-story.Politics & SocietyThe PlayerTeamworkThe G.O.A.T.APPENDICESAppendix 1 Roles 3601 Polymath2 Critic3 Audience Surrogate4 Administrator5 Advocate6 Facilitator7 Curator8 Public Speaker9 Legal Adviser10 Diplomat11 Director12 Programmer13 Researcher14 Marketing copywriter15 Historian16 Therapist17 Treasure hunter18 Workshop leader19 Financial advisor20 ExpertAppendix 2 ReadingAppendix 3 Aphorisms