The Role of Dramaturgs in Asia: Struggles and Strategies

While the position of dramaturg may not be clearly identified in performative practices in Asia, the concept of dramaturgy certainly has a presence in traditional, contemporary, educational and community-oriented practices. This keynote presentation will examine the notion of dramaturgy in Asia and its expanding role in context of the 21st century. It will discuss how the shaping a production or performance is not necessarily limited to writers and directors but may involve traditional and contemporary cultural leaders or mediators. The presentation looks at how some cultural or arts leaders seem to take on ‘extended dramaturgy’ that involves crafting projects and performances that embrace the larger context of historical, social and environmental domains  which takes arts practice into the public realm and involves public agency and policy. What are the key concerns and capacities that inform the work of the dramaturg in these practices, and how does the Asian context inform these changing notions of dramaturgy. Do dramaturgs impact change and choice, politics and power, translation and acculturation?