The Art of Dramaturgy

Anne Cattaneo was among the first Americans to fill the role of dramaturg, one of theatre’s best kept secrets. A combination of theatre artist, scholar, researcher, play advocate, editor, and writer’s friend, it is the job of a dramaturg to 'reflect light back on the elements that are already in play,' while bringing a work of theatre to life. Cattaneo traces the field from its beginnings in the eighteenth century to the present and chronicles the multitude and variety of tasks a dramaturg undertakes before, during, and after a production is brought to the stage.