Greetings peoples!

This is your friendly Dramaturg. But what is a Dramaturg, you might ask? My job has a couple of different facets. Primarily, I am a resource for the cast and crew; I get to research anything historical that they have questions about so that they can represent the time period as accurately as possible. Throughout the process so far, I have researched topics such as womanhood in the 1860s, the hair trade of the 1800s, the languages of flowers, Jo's writing content, and the historical backdrop of the play, such as the Civil War, transcendentalism, and the early feminist movement. In addition, I help with concrete things that come up in practices and performances, like pronunciations of niche words that have gone out of style, as well as gift-giving practices and the history of the hoop skirt. 

I don't just do research for the cast, though. I also do it for you! My goal is to ensure that everyone who comes to see "Little Women" can be just as informed as the cast about things like the history of the novel and the impact it made on society. "Little Women" tells a beautiful story, but its influence is more vast than just the tale it recounts. It was an incredibly impactful novel, partly because Louisa was essentially the first person to write literature for the specific audience of young women. That had never been done before, and it was instantly a hit. Most people who read it are also unaware that the trope of "the girl next door" was invented by Louisa in this book! Laurie's love for Jo, and later for Amy, was the first instance in which this theme occurred. 

It is tidbits like this that I get to share with the cast, crew, and audience, and it has been so much fun! We have all learned a ton throughout this process, and my hope is that you, as the audience, can leave the performances with a greater appreciation for the era and the countless hours of work that have been poured into making this beloved story come alive on the stage as accurately and meaningfully as possible. 

Come see it come alive next weekend! 

Hello all! Emily here again!

Check back frequently to the Website. I'm consistently finding or adding new little tidbits. I just added a "Suggested Reading" to the Novel tab. Scroll down and you'll see a list of both recommended Fiction and Non-Fiction for all your academically curious minds. 

I'll toss out my first recommendation. I just started (on audiobook!) Marmee & Louisa: The Untold Story of Louisa May Alcott and Her Mother by Eve LaPlant. It's a biography about Abigail May, Louisa's inspiration for Marmee. So just got to Abba (as they called her) and Bronson's wedding and early days and it's WILD so far. It's a great clue into the era and the family life that will soon include LouLou herself! I'll keep you posted as I read/listen.