An Introduction to the Dramaturg’s Work 2023

An Introduction to the Dramaturg’s Work is a 4-session foundational course that will provide an introduction and grounding for performing arts practitioners who are curious about or want an insight into the dramaturg’s work.

Conducted fully online by Dr Robin Loon, this course aims to equip participants with an understanding of and familiarisation with:

• the brief history and evolution of the dramaturg
• the nature and scope of the dramaturg’s work 
• different kinds of dramaturgs
• basic duties and responsibilities of dramaturgs
• standards and competencies surrounding a professional dramaturg

Participants can expect to engage in discussions based on prescribed readings and undertake individual/group assignment(s) in mock-dramaturgy case projects. At the end of the four sessions, participants should be able to:

• understand the work of a dramaturg and identify dramaturgical interventions;
• clarify if they need to engage dramaturgs and how to engage them in the creative process;
• discover their area of interest should they choose to pursue a practice in dramaturgy.

This is the fourth run of the popular Introduction to the Dramaturg's Work course. Hear what previous participants have to say about their experiences, learnings and key takeaways from the past cohorts:

• Dates: 
  • Session #1 | Tue, 21 Nov 2023, 7pm - 9pm UTC+8
  • Session #2 | Sat, 25 Nov 2023, 10am - 12pm UTC+8
  • Session #3 | Tue, 28 Nov 2023, 7pm - 9pm UTC+8
  • Session #4 | Sat, 2 Dec 2023, 10am - 12pm UTC+8
• Total online contact time: 8hrs
• Expect individual and group assignment(s) that require you to prepare and work on outside of the scheduled Sessions. 
• This course will be conducted in English, via Zoom virtual platform. There will be close-captioning (in English) enabled for all sessions.

Fee: SGD $150

The following subsidies are made available by partners:

1. The Thai Theatre Foundation (TTF) will be offering full subsidies to selected Thai participants.
2. The Asian Dramaturgs’ Network (ADN) and Bangkok International Performing Arts Meeting (BIPAM) will be offering full subsidies for up to 2 selected participants from Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam.
3. Centre 42 will offer up to 20% subsidy for applicants who require financial assistance, on a case by case basis.

To be considered for the course fee subsidy, please indicate in the online application form here.

Shortlisted applicants may be required to provide the respective organisations with more information or attend an interview, where required.

– Application Period: 18 September to 29 October 2023 –

To qualify for this workshop, you must:

• Be aged above 21 years old.
• Have a practice in the performing arts, or are engaged professionally in the performing arts practice, for a minimum of 2 years.
• Commit to the full duration of the programme, and is able to attend virtually via Zoom.

To apply: 

• Complete the online application form here.
• Submit by Sunday, 29 Oct 2023, 11.59PM (UTC+8).
• Confirmation of your spot in the Course will be announced on 1 Nov 2023.

An Introduction to the Dramaturg’s Work 2023 was an international edition, with 23 participants from Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines meeting over Zoom to learn more about dramaturgs and a dramaturg's work. The course went into detail on the definition of a dramaturg, and the different roles and functions a dramaturg can fulfil depending on a production's specific, unique needs. 

Over the course of four sessions, participants reviewed readings, engaged in scenario-based role-play with facilitator Robin Loon, and heard from three guest lecturers, Alvin Chiam, Sonya Wong and Nidya Shanthini Manokara, all of whom have various experiences with the field of dramaturgy. Participants were also given reflection exercises and short assignments after each session, and were encouraged to share their responses at the beginning of the following session, allowing the group to hear different perspectives and learn from one another. 

For this edition of the course, subsidies were made available by Centre 42, the Asian Dramaturg's Network and Bangkok International Performing Arts Meeting, and the Thai Theatre Foundation. 

The participants who received subsidies from Centre 42 were Kwek Yi Xuan, Muhammad Sharul Mohammed, Thi Thanh Hang Nguyen and Teo Xiao Ting. 

The participants who received subsidies from the Asian Dramaturg's Network and Bangkok International Performing Arts Meeting were Linh Trang My Pham (Valerie) and Nguyen Hai Yen (Red). 

The participants who received subsidies from the Thai Theatre Foundation were Pranchalee Khajai, Tanyathorn Khunapinya, Pathipon (Miss Oat), Jaa Phantachat and nd Thanupon Yindee (Golf).