dramaturge

American  

[drah-muh-turj, dram-uh-] / ˈdrɑ məˌtɜrdʒ, ˈdræm ə- /

Or dramaturg

noun

1. a specialist in dramaturgy, the craft and techniques of dramatic composition, especially one who acts as a consultant to a theater company and advises them on possible repertoire.

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dramaturge British  

/ ˈdræməˌtɜːdʒ /

noun

1. Also called: dramaturgist.  a dramatist, esp one associated with a particular company or theatre

2. Also called: dramaturg.  a literary adviser on the staff of a theatre, film corporation, etc, whose responsibilities may include selection and editing of texts, liaison with authors, preparation of printed programmes, and public relations work

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Etymology

Origin of dramaturge

First recorded in 1855–60; perhaps back formation from dramaturgy, but compare French dramaturge, German Dramaturg

Explanation

In the theater, a dramaturge is someone who helps the director interpret the text of the play. A dramaturge's job can include consulting with the playwright or researching details of the story. Someone who works as a dramaturge (which is sometimes spelled dramaturg) is in the field of dramaturgy. These terms derive from the Greek drama, or "play," and -ourgia, "a working." A dramaturge works with the text of a play or opera in a variety of ways, including selecting plays; editing stage directions or lines spoken by actors; and researching the history behind a work to help the costume designers and set decorators.

Example Sentences

A process of trimming that went on for a year, conducted principally by Godwin, Page and dramaturge Drew Lichtenberg, reduced the running time to about 2½ hours.

From Washington Post • Apr. 5, 2023

So did up-to-date tools for dyslexic students, which the show’s dramaturge, Taylor Janney-Rovin, an educator who instructs dyslexic children at Valence College Prep, in Queens, suggested.

From New York Times • Mar. 17, 2023

“Everybody loves ABBA, even if they don’t want to admit it,” dramaturge Jeanette Sanchez wrote in the program for Village Theatre’s production of “Mamma Mia!”

From Seattle Times • Jun. 14, 2022

Theater people will find a special affinity for a movie in which one of the characters is identified as the production’s dramaturge, or literary adviser, an often unsung member of a play’s creative team.

From Washington Post • Mar. 18, 2022

Il y a plus, dans ces cinquante pages: il y a l’une des meilleures études qui aient jamais été faites du brillant dramaturge.

From The Trial of Oscar Wilde From the Shorthand Reports by Anonymous