2009/2010

Creative Activity: Playwright & Production Director

Scholarly Equivalency - Refereed Article

Hart's Contribution as Playwright/ Production Director

The role of a playwright is to tell relatable entertaining stories that fit inside a theatrical structure and have artistic and commercial merit.

With a 22 year career as a playwright and director of plays written for child actors performing for family audiences, the production of "The DC County Spelling Bee" was one of my favorites. Inspired by the Broadway musical hit, "The Putnam County Spelling Bee" and popular tele-musicals like "Glee", I was mindful to consider the varying ages of the audience members when constructing the story, creating the characters and music lyrics.

With regard to process, in the initial stages I collaborated with the musical director to create the lyrics and musical story structure. Thereafter I developed a draft of the script prior to the production and once the cast was selected I was able to make edits and incorporate ideas from the child actors. Once the final 90 minute full length script was completed a full cast read through was held and thereafter the rehearsal process began.

In my role as the production director I created the rehearsal schedule and conducted daily rehearsals with the actors. In addition, I held production meetings with the design team to make decisions regarding how to best capture the look, tone and mood of the play. Lastly, in collaboration with the design team I managed the tech process in preparation for the public event.

Hart's contribution as playwright made to achieve the goals of creating a production reflecting artistic and commercial merit for "The DC County Spelling Bee" include:

• Conduct ethnological and anthropological research to support the developing story line and character development
• Write music lyrics
• Write and edit multiple drafts of the play script
• Collaborate with music director on the flow and structure of the story as told through music
• Produce final script for production execution

Hart's directorial contributions made to achieve the goals of creating a production reflecting artistic and commercial merit for "The DC County Spelling Bee" include:

• Train students in fundamental theatre/directing techniques
• Guidance and instruction that reflect high standards and industry protocol
• In collaboration with the set designer determine the best use of the theatre space
• Collaborate with the musical director
• Guide and collaborate with the artistic/design team (set/costume/lighting and sound scape) to visually actualize the physical environment and atmosphere of the play
• Analyze the script for its structure, themes and socio/political arguments
• Assess, interpret and actualize the physical and verbal action of the play
• Cast the play
• Plan for and manage rehearsals that provide adequate time for actors and the design and production teams to achieve their individual goals
• Conduct rehearsals to construct blocking that reflect the plays tempo and help actors to discover and reveal a characters psychological truth
• In collaboration with the design team, manage technical rehearsals to solidify and clarify all light and sound cues and final design decisions
• Collaborate with the marketing and PR team

Creative Activity: Play Development Dramaturge/Director

Scholarly Equivalency - General Article

Hart's Contribution as Play Development Dramaturge/Director

In an educational environment in my role as play development dramaturge for a staged reading I supported the playwright with script development (rewrites) and helped to showcase the work with the intent of securing a producer and/or investors. In a staged reading, the theatre director’s role during a short rehearsal process, is to lead a team of actors to create a production that does not utilize extensive design elements. Instead, the production focuses on the language, impact and themes in the play.

Additionally, directing a staged reading in an educational environment expands teaching beyond the classroom and places the student in a professional culture where they receive guidance on professional standards and protocol. In a supportive environment students are able to move beyond theory to application of the performance techniques learned in the classroom setting. My directing approach is discovery and process focused while achieving necessary milestones that result in a production worthy of public viewing.

Through the Visiting Playwright Workshop Series, in the Spring of 2010, I collaborated with the internationally recognized Lark Play Development center in New York to offer a unique experience to the students in the Howard University Department of Theatre Arts and the Washington DC community. International playwright Kofi Kwahule (and his translator, Chantal Bilodeau) were in residence in the department for a play development staged reading of his play, Melancholy of Barbarians. In addition, Kwahule, led a playwriting master class for the student body. The residency allowed Kwahule to participate in all rehearsals and pre-production table discussions with the director and cast. The process posed a unique challenge in that Mr. Kwahule spoke French. All communication with the Director and cast was done via his translator Chantal Bilodeau.

My directorial and dramaturgical contributions made to achieve the goals of supporting the playwright with script development and/or to showcase the work with the intent of securing a producer and/or investors for "Melancholy of the Barbarians" include:

• Training students in fundamental theatre/directing techniques
• Guidance and instruction of professional industry standards and protocol
• Ethnological and Anthropological research
• Dialogue with playwright regarding making edits to the play
• Determine the best use of the theatre space
• Analyze the script for its structure, themes and socio/political arguments
• Assess, interpret and actualize the physical and verbal action of the play
• Casting that implements industry standard professional protocols
• Plan for and manage rehearsals that provide adequate time for actors to achieve their individual goals
• Conduct rehearsals to construct minimal blocking that reflect the plays tempo and help actors to discover and reveal a characters psychological truth
• In collaboration with the design team, manage technical rehearsals to solidify and clarify all light and sound cues and minimal design decisions
• Collaborate with the marketing and PR team