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Performing Verse in Contemporary Theatre: A Focus on Dramaturgy

Jim Cox

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Published in Dramaturgy Of Form: Performing Verse In Contemporary Theatre (Focus On Dramaturgy)

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Verse has a long and rich history in theatre, from the ancient Greeks to Shakespeare to the present day. In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in performing verse in contemporary theatre. This is due in part to the rise of new playwrights who are writing in verse, as well as a growing interest in the unique challenges and opportunities that verse offers actors and directors.

Dramaturgy of Form: Performing Verse in Contemporary Theatre (Focus on Dramaturgy)

by John Lars Shoberg

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2001 KB
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Print length	:	138 pages

Dramaturgy plays an essential role in the performance of verse in contemporary theatre. Dramaturgs can help actors and directors to interpret and stage verse, and they can contribute to the overall success of a production.

The Role of the Dramaturg

The dramaturg is a member of the artistic team who works closely with the playwright, director, and actors to develop and stage a production. The dramaturg's role is to provide dramaturgical support, which can include:

* Researching the play and its historical and cultural context * Analyzing the play's structure, characters, and themes * Providing dramaturgical notes to the director and actors * Attending rehearsals and offering feedback * Helping to develop the production concept * Writing program notes and other materials

Dramaturgy and the Performance of Verse

Verse presents a number of unique challenges for actors and directors. These challenges include:

* The need to speak verse in a natural and engaging way * The need to understand the rhythm and meter of verse * The need to interpret the often complex language of verse * The need to stage verse in a way that is both visually appealing and dramatically effective

Dramaturgs can help actors and directors to overcome these challenges by providing them with the tools and resources they need to succeed. For example, dramaturgs can provide actors with workshops on speaking verse, and they can help directors to develop staging concepts that are both visually appealing and dramaturgically sound.

Case Studies

There are a number of recent productions that have successfully used dramaturgy to enhance the performance of verse. These productions include:

* The Public Theater's production of Shakespeare's Hamlet, which featured a dramaturgical team that worked closely with the director and actors to develop a new interpretation of the play. * The Royal Shakespeare Company's production of Tom Stoppard's Arcadia, which featured a dramaturg who helped the director to stage the play's complex time structure. * The National Theatre's production of Tony Kushner's Angels in America, which featured a dramaturg who helped the actors to understand the play's historical and political context.

These case studies demonstrate the important role that dramaturgy can play in the performance of verse in contemporary theatre. By providing actors and directors with the tools and resources they need to succeed, dramaturgs can help to ensure that verse is performed in a way that is both engaging and effective.

Verse has a long and rich history in theatre, and it continues to be a vital part of contemporary theatre. Dramaturgy plays an essential role in the performance of verse, and dramaturgs can help actors and directors to interpret and stage verse in a way that is both visually appealing and dramatically effective.

Dramaturgy of Form: Performing Verse in Contemporary Theatre (Focus on Dramaturgy)

by John Lars Shoberg

4 out of 5