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

See Examples For:

dramaturge

Valeriy Pecheykin, a playwright who has worked with leading theaters in Russia, served as dramaturge, helping to winnow the story to its essence: a handful of protagonists, plus a Tolstoy character.

From Washington Post ● Apr. 1, 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

An ASL director is a creative collaborator who functions almost like a dramaturge.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 18, 2022

The playwright Marcella Murray, who serves as dramaturge for “Life Encounters” along with Neumann, said that in doing research for this show, “Archie is the research, this amazing font.”

From New York Times ● Jul. 23, 2021