2012/2013

Creative Work: Production Dramaturge

Scholarly Equivalency - Refereed Article

Hart's Contribution as Production Dramaturge

DC Metro Arts Production Review - Click Here

In my role as production dramaturge in an educational environment I supported and enhanced the work of the director and production team in creating a production of artistic and commercial merit. The production dramaturge helps the director and production team unpack the play and discover the multiple layers of meaning and value in the text and in the visual, aural and physical atmosphere of the play. This is accomplished by conducting thorough research to create a dramaturgy resource packet that articulates the inner structure of the play.

During early rehearsals the dramaturge is able to present critical observations and pose thought provoking questions; all of which position the production team to conduct rich and meaningful table work and engage in a productive on-your-feet rehearsal process. The work of the dramaturge empowers collaborators to make informed performance and design choices and enriches audience engagement.

Typically, early in the rehearsal phase the dramaturge supports the production team by presenting an overview of process and materials approved by the director, regarding how to best use the production resource book for a specific production. However in this situation the director did not wish to have a presentation. Instead, the packet was delivered to the production team and I attended several rehearsals and took notes regarding the kinds of questions actors had. I also prepared an addendum of information based on research requests from the actors. For most of the cast members this was the first time they had ever received and learned how to use a dramaturgy resource packet to support their acting process. Ultimately, the contributions of the dramaturge deepen the actors' understanding of the world of the play and supports the presentation of a production worthy of public viewing.

My dramaturgical contributions made to achieve the goals of creating a production reflecting artistic and commercial merit for "Breath Boom" include:

• Have an understanding of the director's concept and vision
• Researched the playwright's impetus for writing the play and to learn any other relevant information
• Conduct approximately 125 hours of research along with creation of the dramaturgy resource packet
• Analyze the play and conduct thorough research on time period, styles, themes, location, language, etc.
• Ethnological and Anthropological research
• Articulate the inner structure of the play and present critical observations to cast/design team
• Posed thought provoking questions to the cast
• Provide thorough research to support 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
• During an early rehearsal present an overview of materials regarding how to best use the dramaturgy resource packet
• Collaborate with the marketing and PR team

Creative Work: 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, I'm always mindful to consider the varying ages of the audience members when constructing the story, creating the characters and music lyrics.

The production of "When a Tree Grows in Brookland" was inspired by my desire to learn more about how to preserve our earth and “Go Green.” As part of my research process I watched Al Gore’s award winning documentary, ‘An Inconvenient Truth’ and to expand the learning for the campers, The Casey Trees Foundation facilitated an experiential workshop for the campers. They learned more about the benefits trees have on our environment and how to think more critically about global warming and the way our society functions and contributes to this issue.

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.

My contribution as playwright made to achieve the goals of creating a production reflecting artistic and commercial merit for "When a Tree Grows in Brookland" include:

• Conduct ethnological and anthropological research to support the developing story line and character development
• 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

My directorial contributions made to achieve the goals of creating a production reflecting artistic and commercial merit for "When a Tree Grows in Brookland" 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 Work: Production Director

Scholarly Equivalency - General Article

Hart's Contribution as Production Director

In my role as theatre director I led the project by creating an environment where artists collaborate to implement the concept/vision set forth by the director and create a production that has artistic and commercial merit worthy of public viewing. My directing approach is discovery and process focused while achieving necessary milestones that result in a production worthy of public viewing.

My directorial contributions made to achieve the goals of creating a production reflecting artistic and commercial merit for "Bedlam in the Pulpit" include:

• Coach actors in advanced acting techniques that reflect and industry standards
• In collaboration with the set designer determine the best use of the theatre space
• 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 and themes
• 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 Work: Production Director

Scholarly Equivalency - General Article

Hart's Contribution as Production Director

In my role as theatre director I led the project by creating an environment where artists collaborate to implement the concept/vision set forth by the director and create a production that has artistic and commercial merit worthy of public viewing. My directing approach is discovery and process focused while achieving necessary milestones that result in a production worthy of public viewing.

My directorial contributions made to achieve the goals of creating a production reflecting artistic and commercial merit for "Quick Stop at the Florist" include:

• Coach actors in advanced acting techniques that reflect and industry standards
• In collaboration with the set designer determine the best use of the theatre space
• 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 and themes
• 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